Module Identifier IPM2120  
Module Title POLITICAL RESEARCH: PHILOSOPHY, METHODS AND APPLICATION  
Academic Year 2002/2003  
Co-ordinator Dr Jonathan M Joseph  
Semester Semester 2  
Other staff Dr Colin Wight, Dr Graeme A M Davies  
Assessment Semester Exam   2 Hours Computer based examination - does not require seating in an exam hall   35%  
  Semester Assessment   Course Work: Research Design project   35%  
  Semester Assessment   Web exercises Course Work:   15%  
  Semester Assessment   SPSS Computer exercises Course Work:   15%  
  Supplementary Exam   Students may, subject to Faculty approval, have the opportunity to resit this module, normally during the supplementary examination period. For further clarification please contact the Teaching Programme Administrator in the Department of International Politics.    

Learning outcomes

- Distinguish between theoretical traditions and understand the leading theoretical approaches to the study of political phenomena
- Understand and assess the implications of particular theories for both research methods and substantive issues
- Apply some of the concepts, theories and methods used in the study of politics to an advanced level
- Identify and use appropriate methods of quantitative data collection
- Identify and use appropriate methods of qualitative data collection
- Identify and use appropriate methods of quantitative data analysis
- Identify and use appropriate methods of qualitative data analysis

Brief description

The aim of this course is to familiarise students with the process of conducting advanced research in political science and international relations. The course picks up many of the themes covered in the generic research-training programme and addresses them from a political science perspective. It is intended to give students the necessary tools to competently understand empirical political research, as well proving a sophisticated set of research skills necessary in order to complete graduate-level research. It is designed to provide a thorough advanced education in the application, appreciation and understanding of a range of research methods relating to political phenomena. It covers both quantitative and qualitative perspectives and emphasises the necessity of both forms of analysis.

Aims

- To introduce students to the different approaches to the study of political phenomena.
- To familiarize students with the basic assumptions, concepts, and questions of empirical political science.
- To examine the processes involved in designing empirical research and in collecting and analysing qualitative and quantitative data.
- To learn how to evaluate social science research.
- To encourage logical and critical thinking about political institutions and behaviours.

Content

The Module covers the leading theoretical approaches to the study of political phenomena; methods of quantitative data collection; methods of qualitative data collection; methods of quantitative data analysis; methods of qualitative data analysis.

Transferable skills

- a sophisticated set of research skills
- quantitative and qualitative data collection skills
- quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills   
- a wide range of social research methods.

Reading Lists

Books
Mark J Smith. (1998) Social Science in Question. London: Sage
W Lawrence Neuman. (1997) Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. 4th. London: Allyn and Bacon