Not available in 2013/14
GV314
Empirical Research in Government
This information is for the 2013/14 session.
Teacher responsible
Prof Edward Page CON3.05
Availability
This course is available on the BSc in Government, BSc in Government and Economics, BSc in Government and History and BSc in Politics and Philosophy. This course is not available as an outside option nor to General Course students.
Course content
The course introduces a variety of techniques and issues in the empirical study of political science and applies them to a practical research project in which students participate throughout the year. The focus of the course will be the practical research project. Details of the research project will be made available at the time students make their course choices. At the theoretical level the course will cover questions relating to the utilization of policy research, forms of research design, sampling, questionnaire construction, coding and converting non-quantitative to quantitative indicators, response rates, elite interviewing and research ethics. As the practical research project progresses classes will cover the development of practical skills such as, principles of research report writing and, where appropriate for the project, use of text processing programmes, and SPSS.
Teaching
20 hours of seminars in the MT. 20 hours of seminars in the LT. 2 hours of seminars in the ST.
Indicative reading
Sandra Halperin and Oliver Heath, Political Research. Methods and Political Skills (2012); Alan Buckingham and Peter Saunders, The Survey Methods Workbook (2004); Tim May, Social Research: Issues, Methods and Process, 3rd edn, (2001); Claus Moser and Graham Kalton, Survey Methods in Social Investigation, 2nd edn, (1985); Melanie Mauthner et al (eds), Ethics in Qualitative Research, (2002).
Assessment
Exam (50%, duration: 2 hours) in the main exam period.
Essay (25%, 2500 words) in the LT.
Research project (25%) in the ST.
Student performance results
(2010/11 - 2012/13 combined)
Classification | % of students |
---|---|
First | 40 |
2:1 | 60 |
2:2 | 0 |
Third | 0 |
Fail | 0 |
Key facts
Department: Government
Total students 2012/13: 14
Average class size 2012/13: 14
Value: One Unit
Course survey results
(2010/11 - 2012/13 combined)
1 = "best" score, 5 = "worst" scoreThe scores below are average responses.
Response rate: 81%
Question |
Average | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reading list (Q2.1) |
2.1 | ||||||
Materials (Q2.3) |
1.8 | ||||||
Course satisfied (Q2.4) |
1.3 | ||||||
Lectures (Q2.5) |
1.3 | ||||||
Integration (Q2.6) |
1.2 | ||||||
Contact (Q2.7) |
1.2 | ||||||
Feedback (Q2.8) |
1.4 | ||||||
Recommend (Q2.9) |
|