Research Methods
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| INTS4013 | School of International Studies | 4 | 20 | Spring China |
- Code
- INTS4013
- School
- School of International Studies
- Level
- 4
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Spring China
Summary
This module is a series of lectures, which will be run as training workshops that always have a practical, active learning component. It aims at providing students with the knowledge and expertise of qualitative and quantitative research methods relevant to enable them to complete a discrete piece of research in the field of International Studies.
Please note: This module is assessed at the end of Spring semester. First sit/ Re-sit exams are scheduled normally in the summer and can take the same form as the missing/ failed component of the assessment (exam, essay etc.) or other form, as decided by the School.
Target Students
Students enrolled in the postgraduate programmes of the School of International Studies, including the MA in International Relations and World History, the MA in International Relations and International Business or others. Open to Exchange students as well.
Classes
- One 2-hour lecture each week for 11 weeks
The number of sessions may slightly vary, depending on the numbers of research methods taught.
Assessment
- 25% Presentation: Presentation and viva voce
- 75% Coursework 1: Dissertation Proposal, 3000 words
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
This module aims at providing postgraduate students with the knowledge and expertise to carry out qualitative and, where resources allow, quantitative research in Politics, International Relations, History, and other relevant disciplines in Humanities and Social Sciences, taking account the chosen field of study, the strengths of the School, and the local resources.Moving from a reflection on International relations and History as disciplines with diverse research methods, the module proceeds to engage students in the specificities of designing a research project in International Relations, Political Science, or History.In order to make this module an effective platform for learning, students should consider their research topic from the beginning. Students will engage with various research practices from day one of this module.Learning Outcomes
a) Knowledge and understanding
• An overview of the relevant disciplines (History, International Relations etc.)
• Different sources and methods used in research in these disciplines
• The role of theory in historical enquiry and international relations
• Basic qualitative and quantitative research methods
• Ethical issues pertinent to academic research
b) Professional practical skills
• Reviewing and engaging with existing literature
• Collecting, assembling and synthesizing data from archives and libraries
• Designing questionnaires and carrying out interviews
• Interpretation and summarizing of data
• Writing of research based on various information resources
• Knowledge of archival research and use of primary and secondary sources
• Use of other approaches/tools, such as discourse analysis, content analysis, ethnography, identity studies, rational choice theory, game theory, etc.
c) Transferable (key) skills
• Finding, collecting and assembling information from various information sources
• Writing of complex social processes with data from various sources
• Presentation and explanation skills
Conveners
- Dr Rosaria FRANCO