Science

Masters of Science in Research Methods

The Masters of Science in Research Methods is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in research methodology, quantitative methods, qualitative methods, data analysis, and research design. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in research, data analysis, monitoring and evaluation, and evidence-based decision-making.

Core areas include research design, quantitative methods, qualitative methods, statistics, data analysis, research ethics, survey methodology, experimental design, programme evaluation, and research communication. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical research methods applications.

The programme is offered by Kirinyaga University, Strathmore University, and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, with Maseno University as a college. Strathmore offers MSc Statistical Sciences through its Institute of Mathematical Sciences. MMUST offers MSc Statistics. Maseno offers MSc Applied Statistics.

Students develop competencies in research design, statistical analysis, data management, qualitative analysis, and research communication. The programme includes coursework, research projects, data analysis practicum, examinations, supervised research, and thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years. Strathmore postgraduate fees are estimated at KES 150,000/semester (~KES 300,000/year). MMUST postgraduate fees are estimated at KES 120,000/year. Maseno postgraduate statistics fees are estimated at KES 130,000/year. Entry requires Bachelor's degree with quantitative background.

Graduates pursue careers as research methodologists, data analysts, M&E specialists, research consultants, and university lecturers in research institutions, government, NGOs, and international organisations.

Skills Required

Research Design and Methodology
Quantitative Data Analysis and Statistics
Qualitative Research Methods and Analysis
Survey Design and Sampling
Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Design
Data Management and Statistical Computing
Programme Evaluation and Impact Assessment
Research Ethics and Integrity
Research Communication and Report Writing
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Key Subjects

Research Design
Quantitative Methods
Qualitative Methods
Statistics
Data Analysis
Survey Methodology
Experimental Design
Programme Evaluation
Research Ethics
Research Communication

Certifications

ASA Statistical Certification
ISI Professional Certification

Specializations

Quantitative Methods

Focuses on quantitative research methods, statistical analysis, experimental design, survey research, and conducting quantitative research.

Qualitative Methods

Examines qualitative research methods, ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory, case study, and conducting qualitative research.

Survey Methodology

Covers survey methodology, survey design, sampling, questionnaire design, data collection, and designing and conducting surveys.

Programme Evaluation

Focuses on programme evaluation, impact evaluation, M&E, experimental and quasi-experimental design, and evaluating programmes and policies.

Data Science

Examines data science, data analytics, data mining, machine learning, big data, and applying data science methods to research.

Research Ethics

Covers research ethics, ethical principles, IRB, informed consent, confidentiality, integrity, and ensuring ethical research practice.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 130,900
Private, up to: Ksh 300,000
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Research Design
Quantitative Methods
Qualitative Methods
Statistics
Data Analysis
Survey Methodology
Experimental Design
Programme Evaluation
Research Ethics
Research Communication

Modules

12 in the programme

Research Design and Methodology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines research design, research paradigms, positivism, interpretivism, pragmatism, research questions, literature review, and understanding research design.
Quantitative Research Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers quantitative research, descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, hypothesis testing, correlation, regression, and conducting quantitative research.
Qualitative Research Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines qualitative research, ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory, case study, thematic analysis, NVivo, and conducting qualitative research.
Statistical Analysis and Computing
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers probability, sampling, estimation, ANOVA, regression, multivariate, SPSS, R, Stata, Python, and statistical analysis and computing.
Survey Methodology and Design
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines survey design, sampling, questionnaire design, data collection, KoboToolbox, ODK, mobile data, and designing and conducting surveys.
Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Design
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers experimental design, RCT, quasi-experimental, control groups, randomisation, matching, DID, and designing experiments and evaluations.
Programme Evaluation and Impact Assessment
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines programme evaluation, impact evaluation, M&E, log frame, theory of change, RCT, and evaluating programmes and policies.
Research Ethics and Integrity
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research ethics, ethical principles, IRB, informed consent, confidentiality, integrity, plagiarism, and ensuring ethical research practice.
Data Science and Big Data Analytics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines data science, data analytics, data mining, machine learning, big data, Python, visualisation, and applying data science methods to research.
Advanced Research Methods and Thesis Preparation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers advanced research methods, systematic review, meta-analysis, mixed methods, research proposal, thesis writing, and preparing for the research thesis.
Research Communication and Dissemination
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines research communication, report writing, publication, dissemination, policy briefs, presentations, data visualisation, and communicating research findings.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis demonstrating mastery of research methods, design, data collection, analysis, and reporting, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Quantitative Methods
Focuses on quantitative research methods, statistical analysis, experimental design, survey research, and conducting quantitative research.
Qualitative Methods
Examines qualitative research methods, ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory, case study, and conducting qualitative research.
Survey Methodology
Covers survey methodology, survey design, sampling, questionnaire design, data collection, and designing and conducting surveys.
Programme Evaluation
Focuses on programme evaluation, impact evaluation, M&E, experimental and quasi-experimental design, and evaluating programmes and policies.
Data Science
Examines data science, data analytics, data mining, machine learning, big data, and applying data science methods to research.
Research Ethics
Covers research ethics, ethical principles, IRB, informed consent, confidentiality, integrity, and ensuring ethical research practice.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Research Methods programme begins with morning lectures on research design, quantitative methods, or statistics. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical research methods applications. Research design sessions cover research design, research paradigms, positivism, interpretivism, pragmatism, and understanding research design. Quantitative methods sessions examine quantitative research, descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, hypothesis testing, regression, and conducting quantitative research. Qualitative methods sessions cover qualitative research, ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory, case study, thematic analysis, and conducting qualitative research. Statistics sessions examine probability, sampling, estimation, hypothesis testing, ANOVA, regression, multivariate, and understanding statistical analysis. Data analysis sessions cover data analysis, data management, data cleaning, SPSS, R, Stata, Python, and analysing research data. Survey methodology sessions examine survey design, sampling, questionnaire design, data collection, KoboToolbox, and designing and conducting surveys. Experimental design sessions cover experimental design, RCT, quasi-experimental, control groups, randomisation, and designing experiments. Programme evaluation sessions examine programme evaluation, impact evaluation, M&E, log frame, theory of change, and evaluating programmes and policies. Research ethics sessions cover research ethics, ethical principles, IRB, informed consent, confidentiality, integrity, and ensuring ethical research. Research communication sessions examine research communication, report writing, publication, dissemination, policy briefs, and communicating research findings. Data analysis practicum provides hands-on experience with real data, statistical software, surveys, and research projects. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering advanced research methods, systematic review, meta-analysis, and research design. Guest lectures from university faculty, KNBS statisticians, APHRC researchers, ISI experts, and international research methods scholars provide real-world insights. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's growing research sector, M&E requirements, evidence-based policy, programme evaluation, and data-driven decision-making create high demand for qualified research methods professionals.
Strathmore University offers MSc through its Institute of Mathematical Sciences with established statistical and research training.
Career opportunities with research institutions, government, KNBS, APHRC, NGOs, UN agencies, and international organisations.
Programme provides versatile research skills applicable across disciplines, sectors, and career paths.

Against it

Strathmore tuition of approximately KES 150,000/semester (~KES 300,000/year) is relatively expensive compared to public universities.
Programme requires quantitative aptitude and comfort with statistics and data analysis software.
Research methods is a support function, not a primary domain, which may limit direct career positions in some organisations.
Rapidly evolving data science and analytics field requires continuous learning beyond the programme.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 243 science courses

Public112k to 131k

112k at Maseno University131k at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology

Private300k to 300k

300k at Strathmore University300k at Strathmore University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

Maseno ~112K/yr ecampus3.maseno.ac.ke; MMUST 131K/yr. Private unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. APHRC supports research capacity building in Africa. ASA supports statistical education. ISI supports statistics professional development. The programme's research methods focus attracts research, statistics, and international development funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
APHRC Research Funding
ASA Statistical Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate research methods studies at recognised universities.
APHRC Research Funding
GrantKsh 300,000
APHRC supports research capacity building in Africa, providing funding for postgraduate research in research methods.
ASA Statistical Funding
FellowshipKsh 400,000
ASA supports statistics education globally, providing fellowships for postgraduate study in statistics and research methods.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme accepts graduates from diverse fields with quantitative aptitude. Two-year programme with full-time and part-time modes.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, data analysis exercises, research designs, survey designs, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering research design, statistics, qualitative methods, survey methodology, and evaluation, conducted at end of each semester.
Data Analysis Practicum and Project Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of data analysis practicum, research projects, survey projects, evaluation projects, and practical research work.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis demonstrating mastery of research methods, design, data collection, analysis, and reporting, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Strathmore University offers MSc Statistical Sciences through its Institute of Mathematical Sciences. MMUST offers MSc Statistics. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate research methods training. KNBS provides official statistics in Kenya, and ISI and ASA support statistics and research methods internationally.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Strathmore University offers MSc Statistical Sciences through its Institute of Mathematical Sciences. MMUST offers MSc Statistics. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate research methods training.
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS)
Professional accreditation
KNBS provides official statistics in Kenya. Graduates may benefit from KNBS standards and networking for statistics and research methods roles.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Research Methodologist
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Designs and conducts research, overseeing research design, methodology, data collection, analysis, and supporting research quality and rigour.
Data Analyst
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Analyses data, overseeing data management, statistical analysis, visualisation, and supporting data-driven decision-making.
M&E Specialist
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts monitoring and evaluation, overseeing M&E frameworks, data collection, impact evaluation, and supporting programme effectiveness.
Research Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Provides research consultancy, overseeing research projects, evaluations, surveys, and supporting research and evidence-based practice.
University Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches research methods and statistics in universities, conducting research and training future researchers and analysts.
Statistician
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Applies statistical methods, overseeing statistical analysis, survey design, data analysis, and supporting statistical practice and research.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as research methodologists, data analysts, and M&E specialists in research institutions, government, and international organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

R Statistical Computing
SoftwarePrimary
Open-source statistical computing for data analysis, statistical modelling, visualisation, and research data analysis.
SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical software for survey analysis, social research, education data, and research data analysis.
Stata
Software
Statistical software for econometric analysis, panel data, impact evaluation, and research data analysis.
NVivo
Software
Qualitative data analysis software for interviews, focus groups, coding, thematic analysis, and qualitative research.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Research methods is just about statistics.
The programme involves research design, qualitative methods, survey methodology, evaluation, ethics, communication, and statistics, covering comprehensive research methods.
This programme is only for those planning to do PhDs.
The programme is for researchers, analysts, M&E specialists, consultants, and anyone who uses research in their work, not just PhD candidates.
There is limited demand for research methods professionals in Kenya.
Kenya's growing research sector, M&E requirements, evidence-based policy, programme evaluation, and data-driven decision-making create high demand for qualified research methods professionals.
Research methods is too theoretical.
Research methods is highly applied, involving data analysis, survey design, evaluation, software, and real-world research projects.
Qualitative research is not scientific.
Qualitative research is a rigorous scientific approach with established methods, standards, and significant contributions to knowledge and policy.
A master's in research methods is redundant after a statistics degree.
The master's provides broader research skills beyond statistics, including qualitative methods, evaluation, ethics, and research design, supporting comprehensive research practice.