Last modified: 31 Jul 2023 11:35
Research methods and techniques are fundamental to the study of Politics and International Relations. In addition, they are highly desired by employers. This course will introduce students to a number of different research techniques which they will use throughout their studies at Honours and in particular their Honours dissertation. Moreover, they will also constitute a significant part of their graduate attributes.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 3 |
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| Term | First Term | Credit Points | 30 credits (15 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
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Course Aims
This course will introduce students to a wide variety of research techniques which will be utilized at honours level in both Politics and International Relations. Students will become proficient in the areas of Quantitative Methods, Qualitative Methods, discourse analysis, archival research and interview techniques. This will allow students to formulate and produce an individual research project proposal.
Main Learning Outcomes
A proficiency in the areas of Quantitative Methods, Qualitative Methods, discourse analysis, archival research and interview techniques. An ability to formulate and produce an individual research project proposal.
Course Content
Each of the methods detailed below will be examined in turn.
1. Quantitative Methods
2. Qualitative Methods
3. Discourse analysis
4. Archival research
5. Interview techniques
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
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| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 25 | |
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| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 25 | |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
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| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Procedural | Evaluate | Students learn to critically read and write about research, starting from critically reading previous research, organising arguments/thoughts and writing structured literature reviews. |
| Conceptual | Understand | Students learn to understand why and how we apply different research methods to analyse politics and international relations, including research ethics. |
| Procedural | Apply | Students learn to apply a variety of research methods, including the collection of empirical data and data analysis. As this includes a team project, students apply the rules of collaborative research |
| Reflection | Create | Students produce a research proposal in which they apply and critically reflect on research methods in relation to their own research questions learning to plan and pursue a research project. |
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