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Politics PGR Research Design - POL00001D

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  • Department: Politics and International Relations
  • Module co-ordinator: Prof. Sarah Shair-Rosenfield
  • Credit value: Information currently unavailable
  • Credit level: D
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module summary

This module provides an overview to research design for students at the postgraduate research level of study. We will discuss methodological approaches and issues that pertain to the study of politics, addressing the broader logic of comparative explanation as well as the strengths and weakness of various quantitative and qualitative methods. For postgraduate research students who are embarking on the process of producing their first major scholarly contribution, this module will provide the tools to be able to properly situate and frame their contributions to the wider field of political science.

Professional requirements

N/A

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2023-24 to Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

The objective of this module is to provide students with an introduction to empirical and normative research in political science. Students will learn how scholars in the social sciences formulate research questions, develop theories to answer those questions, and use empirical techniques to test the validity of those theories. More specifically, students will learn how to craft and refine a research question, define and measure concepts, formulate a theory and hypotheses, create a research design in order to collect data, and test theoretically-driven hypotheses with empirical evidence. The ultimate goal of this undertaking is to start students down a path to creating knowledge about the world of politics using a social scientific process.

Module learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
A. Distinguish and articulate key concepts in basic social science research design
B. Consume academic research in political science
C. Demonstrate critical analysis skills in assessing that academic research
D. Understand how to produce knowledge using a social scientific approach

Module content

This module will be delivered in a two-hour weekly seminar, comprised partly of lecture and partly of scholarly discourse. Students are expected to come to each week’s session having already completed the week’s reading and ready to offer critical analysis for discussion.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Other assessment : Journal manuscript review		 N/A 50
Groupwork
Other assessment : Participation		 N/A 50

Special assessment rules

Other

Additional assessment information

Participation: 50%

  • In-class discussion contributions
  • Online discussion forum contributions

Journal manuscript review: 50%

  • Choose an article from list (15 options) for which to write a journal peer review
  • ~800-1000 words

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Other assessment : Journal manuscript review		 N/A 50
Groupwork
Other assessment : Participation		 N/A 50

Module feedback

This will be in line with all other credited module feedback.

Indicative reading

Shively, W Phillips. 2017. The Craft of Political Research 10 th edition. New York: Routledge.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.