Research Methodology

Course

Duration: 11 weeks
Start: Oct 2025
Costs: € 3.150,-

Studenten bezig met het maken van overzichten en schema's o.a. door gebruik van post-its

Throughout the Research Methodology course students develop research skills. As this course is part of the Master Digital Forensics, the workshops and skills taught are focused on research within the digital forensic field.

Something for you?

You are a professional with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree working in the digital forensic field looking to develop or improve your research skills.

Docent geeft les aan studenten van de opleiding Forensisch ICT

About the course

The research methodology course is based on 3 pillars;

I) a critically inquisitive attitude,
II) being able to use literature (and research) of others (scholars) and
III) being able to conduct a practice-based study independently.

The course is part of the Master Digital Forensics, a two-year part-time program. The course has a study load of approximately 140 hours (5 ECTS). Our education is offered in a hybrid format, providing the option to follow lectures online except for several mandatory on-campus meetings.

What you will learn

During the workshops of Research Methodology, insight is offered into the following components: what scientific research is, what a research cycle looks like, what role literature has, and how we deal with references responsibly. It also covers formulating a research objective, the central question (the research topic), and related research questions.

Students later translate this into their own research design. Subsequently, research methodology takes center stage at the workshops. This form determines the (philosophical) starting points of the study, associated research designs, different forms of data collection, and data analysis.

Finally, attention is paid to formulating findings, translating the literature and data for professionals (recommendations), and critical reflection. Additionally, in this course there is a focus on developing students’ critical thinking skills and abilities while they are conducting research within the digital forensic field.

Admission requirements

The admission requirements for this course are:

Bachelor's degree ICT, Computer Science or Digital Forensics
Suitable workplace in the field of digital forensics
Good command of the English language (minimum B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
Resume check to review if you meet the entry-level requirements of the module (if needed to determine this, you will be invited for an introductory interview)

About the Master Digital Forensics

The Master of Digital Forensics is specifically tailored to professionals who would like to:

advance their technical skills in modern day digital forensics and investigations.
acquire the necessary management and communication skills required to perform forensic investigations.
be prepared for the technology paradigm shift towards IOT forensics.
learn how to use analytics, AI, and ML methodologies and apply forensic frameworks to control huge investigations.
learn to develop state of the art forensic tools.

After completion

You can: formulate a research objective
You know: how to make your own research design
You understand: what scientific research is

Purely practical

Duration and location

Duration
11 weeks (October 2025 through January 2026)*

On-campus day
Monday

Extent
5 ECTS (140 hrs)

Combination of self-study, on-campus lectures & practical assignments.
Option to follow lectures online with the exception of several mandatory on-campus meetings.

Location
HSD-campus, the Hague

*Schedule subject to change

Cost and planning

Cost per module
€ 3.150,- VAT exempt (excl. literature)
subject to indexation

Start
October 2025*

Registration
Register at latest by 31 August 2025.

*Course will only be confirmed when there is sufficient participation.
*Schedule subject to change