GV5X1
Research Design in the Social Sciences
This information is for the 2020/21 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Daniel Berliner, Dr Steffen Hertog, Prof Sara Hobolt (Convener), Prof Kai Spiekermann and Prof Torun Dewan
Availability
This course is compulsory on the MRes/PhD in Political Science. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
Course content
The aim of this course is to help PhD students develop a research design. Students will learn how to find their research questions, choose a feasible data collection or modelling strategy, and match data collection and analytic methods to the aims of the PhD project. We also consider the relation of political theory and political science. This course is therefore designed to be a primer in asking the right questions, exploring the options available to us and understanding the consequences of the design decisions that we make. Accordingly, this course is ultimately about turning good research questions into systematic projects that deliver interesting and worthwhile results. We also debate issues in research ethics and provide advice on publication strategies. Students will have opportunities to present their own research designs and get feedback from peers and teachers.
Teaching
This course provides a combination of seminars and lectures totalling 20 hours in the Michaelmas Term and 20 hours in the Lent Term. This year, some or all of this teaching will be delivered through a combination of online and on-campus lectures and seminars. There will also be a reading week in Week 6 of each term.
Formative coursework
This is a PhD level Research Design course. Students submit two summative pieces of work: a referee report as well as their research design. They will also give presentations and receive extensive feedback on their work in progress. These are part of formative rather than summative assessment and are an important part of professional development. The main learning outcomes are to help the PhD students develop professional research designs.
Indicative reading
King, G., R. Keohane & S. Verba (1994) Designing Social Inquiry. Princeton UP.
Box-Steffensmeier, J., H. Brady & D. Collier (eds) (2008) The Oxford Handbook of Political Methodology. OUP.
Dunning, T. (2012) Natural Experiments in the Social Sciences: A Design-Based Approach. CUP.
Dryzek, J., B. Honig & A. Phillips (eds.) (2008) The Oxford Handbook of Political Theory. OUP.
Assessment
Essay (25%, 2500 words) in the MT.
Research project (75%) in the ST.
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.
Key facts
Department: Government
Total students 2019/20: 7
Average class size 2019/20: 7
Value: One Unit
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Problem solving
- Communication
