Common challenges faced by lecturers teaching this course include helping students learn to apply the theory to practice as they proceed with research; and student engagement in what can be a very dry course. Challenges faced by students include understanding research methodology, and quantitative research methods in particular.

The new 7th edition of this title considers these challenges and has evolved to offer a blended learning approach. The goal of this blended approach is to synthesize different teaching and learning approaches into an integrated mix that lecturers can tailor to their own specific needs. An innovative approach combines the face-to-face classroom methods of the instructor with computer-based activities, assignments, and assessments enable students to study what they want, when they want, at their own pace, anywhere they have access to the internet. Students will be led through the entire process of research and thus provide them with the knowledge and skills they need to successfully embark on a research project.

The seventh edition is organized into 5 main themes: Introduction, Defining and Refining the Problem, Theory, Information, and Writing and Presenting the Research Report.