Course Information
SemesterCourse Unit CodeCourse Unit TitleT+P+LCreditNumber of ECTS CreditsLast Updated Date
3PSIR201Political Science Research Methods3+0+03524.07.2024
Course Details
Language of Instruction English
Level of Course Unit Bachelor's Degree
Department / Program Political Science and International Relations
Type of Program Formal Education
Type of Course Unit Compulsory
Course Delivery Method Face To Face
Objectives of the Course This course introduces research methodology, qualitative and quantitative techniques in social sciences. It aims to have students understand how to formulate a research problem, select an appropriate research design and data collection method depending upon research problem, analyze the problem with data at hand and report findings scientifically.
Course Content The course explores research methodology in political sciences and international relations. It begins with discussion over basic concepts such as science, research, method, methodology, theory, epistemology, ontology, and methodology. The course proceeds by the research process which encompasses following steps as formulating a research problem, conceptualizing a research design, constructing an instrument for data collection, selecting a sample, writing a research proposal, collecting data, processing and displaying data and writing a research report.
Course Methods and Techniques
Prerequisites and co-requisities None
Course Coordinator None
Name of Lecturers Associate Prof.Dr. Cenker Korhan Demir
Assistants None
Work Placement(s) No

Recommended or Required Reading
Resources Kumar, Ranjit (2011). Research Methodology (London: Sage Publications). Bevir, Mark. “Meta-methodology: Clearing the Underbrush.” The Oxford Handbook of Political Methodology. New York, NY: Oxford University Press (2008), Chapter 3.
Course Notes Teaching method: Lecture, Discussion based lecture, Case study, Small group work, Group work,Activities within a Student Body or Research Project

Course Category
Social Sciences %100

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
Activities are given in detail in the section of "Assessment Methods and Criteria" and "Workload Calculation"

Assessment Methods and Criteria
In-Term Studies Quantity Percentage
Mid-terms 1 % 20
Assignment 2 % 20
Final examination 1 % 60
Total
4
% 100

 
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration Total Work Load
Assignments 2 15 30
Mid-terms 1 30 30
Final examination 1 90 90
Total Work Load   Number of ECTS Credits 5 150

 
Course Learning Outcomes: Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
NoLearning Outcomes
1 Recognize basic concepts on research methodology in political sciences.
2 Identify research problems and variables and conduct research hypotheses by reviewing literature regarding to research topic.
3 Distinguish between various types of quantitative and qualitative research designs and select the appropriate one pursuant to research problem(s).
4 Select a method of data collection and interpret the validity and reliability of research instrument
5 Determine the design and size of sample depending upon the study.
6 Write a research proposal by constructing research problem, hypotheses and determining data collection methods based on research type
7 Analyze the data collected by quantitative and qualitative technique
8 Outline a research report considering whole steps of a research

 
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
WeekTopicsStudy MaterialsMaterials
1 Introduction and Course Overview (Introducing the course; the meaning of scientific research; the characteristics of research, types of research) Kumar, Ranjit (2011): 1-15. Neumann, Lawrence (2014): 16-22. Kumar, Ranjit (2011): 1-15. Neumann, Lawrence (2014): 16-22.
2 Basic Concepts and Research Process (concepts as theory, science, paradigm, epistemology, ontology, methodology; the phases and steps of research process) Kumar, Ranjit (2011): 17-27. Bevir, Mark (2008): 48-70. Scotland, Lames (2012): 9-14. Kumar, Ranjit (2011): 17-27. Bevir, Mark (2008): 48-70. Scotland, Lames (2012): 9-14.
3 Formulating a research problem (Reviewing the literature, articulating research problem, identifying variables, constructing hypotheses) Kumar, Ranjit (2011): 31-89. Knopf, Jeffrey W. (2006): 127-132. Neumann, Lawrence (2014): 89-130. Kumar, Ranjit (2011): 31-89. Knopf, Jeffrey W. (2006): 127-132. Neumann, Lawrence (2014): 89-130.
4 Formulating a research problem (Reviewing the literature, articulating research problem, identifying variables, constructing hypotheses) Kumar, Ranjit (2011): 31-89. Knopf, Jeffrey W. (2006): 127-132. Neumann, Lawrence (2014): 89-130. Kumar, Ranjit (2011): 31-89. Knopf, Jeffrey W. (2006): 127-132. Neumann, Lawrence (2014): 89-130.
5 Conceptualizing a research design (theory of causality and the research design, quantitative and qualitative research design) Kumar, Ranjit (2011): 93-133. Kumar, Ranjit (2011): 93-133.
6 Selecting a method of data collection Collecting data using attitudinal scales Establishing the validity and reliability of a research instrument Kumar, Ranjit (2011): 137-186. Kumar, Ranjit (2011): 137-186.
7 Constructing an instrument for data collection Selecting a method of data collection Collecting data using attitudinal scales Establishing the validity and reliability of a research instrument Kumar, Ranjit (2011): 137-186. Kumar, Ranjit (2011): 137-186.
8 MID-TERM MID-TERM
9 Sample Selection and Research proposal Selecting sample Kumar, Ranjit (2011): 191-213. Kumar, Ranjit (2011): 191-213.
10 Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis Techniques Neumann, Lawrence (2014): 281-307. Lune, Howard & Bruce L. Berg (2017): 181-200. Neumann, Lawrence (2014): 281-307. Lune, Howard & Bruce L. Berg (2017): 181-200.
11 Ethical Issues and Writing a Research Report Kumar, Ranjit (2011): 241-248, 313-321. Kumar, Ranjit (2011): 241-248, 313-321.
12 Analysis of article/thesis/dissertation Analysis of article/thesis/dissertation Analysis of article/thesis/dissertation
13 Analysis of article/thesis/dissertation Analysis of article/thesis/dissertation Analysis of article/thesis/dissertation
14 Analysis of article/thesis/dissertation Analysis of article/thesis/dissertation Analysis of article/thesis/dissertation
15 FINAL EXAM FINAL EXAM

 
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9 P10
All 5 5 5 4 4 3 3 3 4 3
C1 5 5 4 3 4 4 4 5 4 4
C2 4 5 3 4 4 3 3 3 3 4
C3 4 5 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 3
C4 3 5 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
C5 5 5 4 5 3 3 3 3 3 3
C6 5 5 5 5 5 5 3 4 3 4
C7 3 5 5 5 5 3 3 3 3 3
C8 4 5 4 5 4 5 3 3 3 5

  Contribution: 1: Very Slight 2:Slight 3:Moderate 4:Significant 5:Very Significant