FSMC 033 - Research Methods 1

ONLINE Course Date:  May 24 - June 20, 2027
Course Hours: 20
Price:  $499.00 (No HST)

Course Description 

Research Methods is broken into 2 parts.  FSMC 033 is Part 1.

This course will introduce participants to research; what it is, why and how it is conducted, locating/analyzing peer-reviewed resources to inform evidence-based decision making, and reflecting critically about the implications and role of ethics in
research. This course will emphasize the first three steps in the research process (identifying a research problem, reviewing the literature, and describing the research purpose/methodologies). Participants will practice writing for research using a set of guidelines called APA Style, which provides a foundation for presenting scholarly ideas in a clear and organized format. 

Course Rationale
Fire Services is a dynamic industry wherein, as senior municipal leaders, Chief Officers are consistently tasked with making important decisions regarding the level and quality of service they can provide to their communities, and the financial and resource demands imposed on those communities. It is imperative that senior municipal leaders acquire the knowledge and skills to think critically about risk-management as relates to their administration processes and delivery of fire services. Key to these skills is the need to understand how research is conducted, communicated, and evaluated to guide evidence-based decision making. This course provides learners with an introductory understanding of research and various research methodologies, preparing them to formulate informed decisions that are transparent, justifiable, and defensible.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:   

1.  Understand what research is and its importance in informing evidence-based decision making through use of peer-reviewed sources. 
2. Practice writing for research in both a bias and jargon-free manner, using the APA Style guide. 
3. Identify the first three steps involved in the research process. 
4. Reflect upon the implications and role of ethics in research with human participants. 
5. Differentiate quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research and study designs to address specific research questions. 
6. Critically review the literature to find information on a research topic of interest, address a research problem, and produce a written analysis. 

Additional Information: Once registered course specifics like modules, marking, etc will all be available approximately one week prior to course start date when registered students receive instructions to log on to CPL Portal/BlackBoard.

This course is part of the Humber College Fire Service Executive Management Certificate program and participants will receive one (1) credit towards their certificate.

There must be a minimum of 20 registered participants for the course to proceed.  Registration cut-off date is May 17, 2027.

Registration/Cancellation Policy:  There is a $50 fee for all cancellations.  There are no refunds after May 10, 2027. If a course is cancelled due to the minimum numbers not attained, students can be refunded their course fees, or a credit can be applied to their account. After the cutoff date, refunds will be issued only due to exceptional circumstance, student must contact Program Advisor.

MANDATORY:  NEW PROCESS - Please include as many of the following that you can: your date of birth, and your Humber student ID number (N#) in the additional information box below.