Introduction to Research Design in Politics and International Relations
| Module title | Introduction to Research Design in Politics and International Relations |
|---|---|
| Module code | POL2128 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Simge Andi (Lecturer) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 50 |
|---|
Module description
This module has been designed to offer you an introduction to research design. Research design sheds light on the different ways to ask the right research questions, examine the evidence, and test ideas. For instance, you might be interested in a professional career in politics and want to analyse data on election polls. To get meaningful conclusions from any data, you need first to understand the principles of research design. This module will teach you how to ask research questions and collect data that helps you answer those questions. You will be introduced to both qualitative and quantitative research methods, allowing you to choose from various types of research designs for your final year dissertation.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module aims to:
(1) introduce you to research design in politics and international relations;
(2) help you gain practical knowledge in implementing different types of data collection;
(3) provide you with the tools to critically review social science research and public debates;
(4) provide you with desirable research skills for employment in governmental and non-governmental organisations, and the private sector.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of research design in the politics and international relations.
- 2. Demonstrate knowledge of different types of research methods and data collection techniques
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Apply knowledge of the principles of research design to political problems.
- 4. Evaluate research in politics and international relations.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Write reports to a deadline.
- 6. Evaluate the quality of empirical and normative evidence in the public debate on social and political matters.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics:
- Theoretical approaches to research design
- Types of research design
- Research questions and hypotheses
- Introduction to Causality
- Ethics and Research Integrity
- Introduction to Qualitative Data Collection
- Introduction to Quantitative Data Collection
- Introduction to Online Data Collection
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 22 | (11 x 2 hour) The weekly lectures detail conceptual frameworks, history and key debates to help guide your reading. The lectures also include group discussion or in-class exercises. |
| Guided Independent Study | 128 | This study is continuous throughout the course and should take six to eight hours a week and includes: a) Reading 3 hours per week b) note taking 1 hour per week c) sketching answers to seminar discussions 1 per week d) preparing for in class exercises, research plan preparation and essay writing 1 to 3 hours per week |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research design plan | 300 words | 1-3 | Written or oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research Design Proposal | 50 | 1500 words | 1-6 | Written comments |
| Essay | 50 | 1500 words | 1-6 | Written comments |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Design Proposal (1500 words) | Research Design Proposal (1500 words) | 1-6 | Referral/Deferral Period |
| Essay (1500 words) | Essay (1500 words) | 1-6 | Referral/Deferral Period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to redo the assessment(s) as defined above. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Halperin, S., & Heath, O. (2020). Political research: methods and practical skills. Oxford University Press, USA.
Curini, L., & Franzese, R. (2020). The SAGE handbook of research methods in political
science and international relations (Vols. 1-2). SAGE Publications Ltd
https://www.doi.org/10.4135/9781526486387
Pennings, P., Keman, H., & Kleinnijenhuis, J. (2006). Doing research in political science
(2nd ed.). SAGE Publications Ltd https://www.doi.org/10.4135/9781849209038
Sloan, L., & Quan-Haase, A. (2016). The SAGE Handbook of social media research methods.
SAGE Publications Ltd https://www.doi.org/10.4135/9781473983847
G.King, R.O.Keohane & S.Verba. Designing Social Inquiry: Scientific Inference in
Qualitative Research. Princeton University Press (1994).
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | none |
| Module co-requisites | none |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 20/01/2022 |
