Last modified: 22 May 2019 17:07
This course is an introduction to issues of research design, data collection and effective academic communication in political science research. Its primary objective is to introduce students to the basic rationale, logic and method of original empirical research. It prepares students for how one develops and translates interesting questions and broad theoretical concepts into manageable research projects, and how to communicate the project’s ideas and findings. This requires an understanding of the state of the art of the discipline and the diversity of theoretical and methodological approaches.
| Study Type | Postgraduate | Level | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 30 credits (15 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Old Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
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A full understanding of the methodological basis of inquiry into political processes, institutions, behaviour and attitudes is a necessary preparation for MRes students. To this end, the course introduces to a range of important topics with regard to research design: philosophy of science, the nature, value and problems associated with comparative political science, the logic of scientific inference, the interrelationship between theories and methods, the scientific standards of falsifiability, validity, reliability and replicability, and the basic principles of data collection. In addition, the course will familiarise students with a range of available data types (e.g. from surveys, texts, oral accounts, documents or experiments), the selection criteria involved in choosing data for hypothesis testing, as well as general problems of operationalisation, measurement and credibility of data sources.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
Seminar presentation critique of 2000 words 30%, research design paper 4000 words 70%.
There are no assessments for this course.
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