Research Design Methods and Skills for AQM
| Module title | Research Design Methods and Skills for AQM |
|---|---|
| Module code | SSIM904 |
| Academic year | 2021/2 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Gabriel Katz Wisel (Lecturer) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 6 |
|---|
Module description
The module will cover the basics of quantitative methods research design needed to progress through the MRes in AQM. You will learn to fully plan and design your research programme, starting from the operationalization of your substantive social science question and considering alternative empirical approaches that could potentially be used to address your question. Particular emphasis will be placed on methods for causal inference, concentrating on the potential outcome framework, its advantages, challenges and implications for social science research.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This is an advanced level research design and methods course intended to equip you with a broad range of relevant skills and knowledge, allowing you to formulate research questions and carry out your own research projects. The primary aims of the unit are to:
- Introduce the epistemological and methodological traditions in social science research and map the social science research space, particularly highlighting the range of quantitative methods used;
- Introduce key skills for designing and organizing a research project, conducting critical reviews of published research; and disseminating and communicating research.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Develop understanding of the principles of research design and appreciate multiple alternative approaches to developing and addressing research questions;
- 2. Develop critical understanding of the scientific method;
- 3. Understand the relationship between empirical research and theory generation and testing (theory-evidence links);?
- 4. Define a researchable problem and formulate research questions and hypotheses that are amenable to empirical investigation;
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Show comprehensive understanding of issues posed by social research in relation to ethics, confidentiality and legality.
- 6. Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the principles behind causal inference;
- 7. Develop understanding of the theoretical and data structure assumptions underlying a range of advanced quantitative methods;
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 8. Demonstrate an advanced ability to study independently and effectively;
- 9. Develop the ability to present, summarize and report complex empirical results and methodological approaches for a non-academic (or non-quantitative) audience in order to engage the broader social science community, funding bodies and policy-makers in your research.
- 10. Become acquainted with relevant software tools and IT applications for the retrieval, analysis and the presentation of quantitative information.
Syllabus plan
This course is delivered over six days, divided into two half-days at each institution (Bath, Bristol, Exeter) plus pre-reading material online in advance of each half-day session. Each half-day will entail lecture time plus seminars to discuss the material introduced. The main topics to be covered include: ontology and epistemology in social research; varieties of approaches to research design from different disciplinary backgrounds; question design and formulation; criteria for evaluating research and strategies to enhance research quality; critical evaluation of different methodologies; preparing research proposals and communicating research.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | 129 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 12 | 6 x 2 hours of lectures (2 hours per ½ day session). These lectures cover the main concepts of the course. |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 9 | 6 x 1.5 hours of tutorials/seminars (1.5 hours per ½ day session) .These practical sessions cover the application of techniques |
| Guided Independent Study | 30 | Reading the relevant literature discussed in class |
| Guided independent study | 60 | Reading and preparing materials for the 3 research projects that constitute the modules summative assessment |
| Guided independent study | 39 | Acquiring additional experience with software and computing tools required to conduct the type of analyses discussed in class |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 class presentations of the case selection, methodological choices and preliminary findings associated to each of the 3 research project that constitute the summative assessments. | 15-minute presentations (each) | 1-9 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 x 1500 (33.33% each) word projects One project based on the component taught at each of the three institutions. | 100 | 4500 words | 1-10 | Written Feedback |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 x 1500 word projects (each one based on the components taught at the three institutions) | 3 x 1500 practical assignments based on the word projects seen at each of the three institutions | 1-10 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Imai, Kosuke. (2017). Quantitative Social Science: An Introduction. Princeton University Press,
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
http://imai.princeton.edu/software/index.html
UK Data Services - https://www.ukdataservice.ac.uk
NCRM - http://www.ncrm.ac.uk
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 28/11/2016 |
