POL 597 - Scientific Research Methods

What research methods are the most appropriate to be used in fieldwork by a social scientist? How do social scientists make the decision to study a case study? Students will undertake advanced training in research methods and will also developing criteria to select a case study and research methods in a specific research context. 

Students will study the key qualitative research methods used in social science research in a sequence of research design, literature review, research ethics, selection of research methods, analysis of data and the writing up and dissemination of research findings. Lecture themes will include introductions to philosophy of research, research design, literature review, research ethics, interviews, observation, focus groups, critical discourse analysis and narrative analysis.

Jane Ritchie et al, Qualitative Research Practice: A Guide for Social Students and Researchers Second Edition (SAGE Publications: London, 2014).

Peter Burnham et al, Research in Politics Second Edition (Red Globe Press: London, 2008)

Juraj Horvath, "Critical discourse analysis of Obama’s political discourse," in Milan Ferencik and Juraj Horvath (eds.), Language, Literature and Culture in a Changing Transatlantic World International Conference Proceedings, University Library of Prešov University, 45 - 56 (2009)

Course assignments should be completed in their entirety and submitted by the specified deadlines in order for them to be assessed and awarded a mark.*

Research Proposal

A 1,500 word research proposal should be submitted based on an original research topic that the student has not submitted previously in other courses or programmes. This proposal should put forward a research project. Any sentences in the proposal that are not written by students should be cited and in quotation marks (" ") to indicate they have been taken from another source. Up to approximately 20% of the essay can be quoted passages from other sources. However, failure to cite and quote such texts in the previously described format will constitute an act of plagiarism and incur an instant fail and may result in the initiation of discliplinary action against a student found to have committed such an act. Suggested Format: 'Introduction', 'Background', 'Literature Review', 'Research Question and Methodology', 'List of References'.

Submission date: 06/11/2024

Course percentage: 10%

Interviews

Two semi-structured interviews are to be conducted with research participants related to the students' research papers' topics. Students are expected to carry out their own interviews using face-to-face or information technologies. Although the amount of time of an interview may vary, students should mainly ask open-ended questions to obtain the relevant data. Submission of the audio files of interviews should be accompanied by transcriptions of both interviews consisting of time stamps and clearly identifying the speakers as either 'interviewer' or 'interviewee'.

Submission date: 25/11/2024

Course percentage: 20%

Presentations

A 20-minute presentation will be done by students based upon the two semi-structured interviews and the research paper. These presentations will take place in the final three weeks of the teaching semester. If students do not attend the agreed upon date of their presentations, they will not have another opportunity to present in class. 

Assessment criteria: coherence (clear sequence of points); contents (literature review, research question and methodology, and findings); and presentation skills (clear language and maintaining eye contact with audience).

Course percentage: 20%

Research Report

A 3,500 word original research report should be submitted that has not been submitted to this course in a previous semester if you are taking it again or to another course at any other academic institution. In this report, students will primarily discuss the collected data and their interpretations or findings in light this data. Any sentences in the essay that are not written by students should be cited and in quotation marks (" ") to indicate they have been taken from another source. Up to approximately 20% of the essay can be quoted passages from other sources. However, failure to cite and quote such texts in the previously described format will constitute an act of plagiarism and incur an instant fail and may result in the initiation of discliplinary action against a student found to have committed such an act. Suggested Format: 'Title', 'Table of Contents'; 'Abstract'; Body: 'Introduction', 'Literature Review', 'Research Question and Methodology'; 'Findings', 'Interpretation', 'Conclusion', 'List of References'.

Submission date: 27/12/2024

Course percentage: 50%

N.B. Punctuation, format of report, corrective citation style in the body and list of references are part of the assessment criteria.

*Assessments, submission dates and weekly course subjects may be modified during the semester.

SUBMISSION RULES FOR ASSESSED ASSIGNMENTS

Submission rules for research proposal and research paper

Going over the word count:

More than 10% and up to and including 20% above the word count will incur a grade penalty of 5%

More than 20% and up to and including 30% above the word count will incur a grade penalty of 10%

More than 30% above the word count will incur a fail grade of 0%

Going under the word count:

More than 10% and up to and including 20% below the word count will incur a grade penalty of 5%

More than 20% and up to and including 30% below the word count will incur a grade penalty of 10%

More than 30% below the word count will incur a fail grade of 0%

Late submissions of papers will incur a deduction of 5% each day following the deadline date for five days after which the paper will incur a fail grade of 0%

Submission rules for interviews and transcripts

No late submissions will be accepted for interview audio files and accompanying transcripts. Each conducted interview should be contained in a single audio file

Presentation rules

Failure to present on your allocated date will result in a fail grade of 0%*

(*Students will not receive another opportunity to present)