Course Details in 2024/25 Session


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Module Title LM Doing Political Research
SchoolGovernment
Department Political Sci & Intern'tl Stud
Module Code 08 35201
Module Lead Professor David Cutts
Level Masters Level
Credits 20
Semester Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions None
Contact Hours Lecture-20 hours
Guided independent study-180 hours
Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description This module introduces students to the issues and problems when conducting research in Politics. It provides students with initial experience of principles, philosophies and practice of undertaking research, the planning and carrying out research, and some of the problems that arise in the generation, interpretation and evaluation of evidence collected. The modules will take students through the research process – from generating research questions and formulating the research design to key methodologies and issues in data collection. The unit will provide students with the research grounding and knowledge of methodology and data collection techniques in preparation for their Masters dissertation, future academic or wider research opportunities. The workshop programme is designed to enable students to critically evaluate and develop practical skills in different (mixed) methods and will provide some additional introductory statistical training to build and widen their skill set.
Learning Outcomes By the end of the module students should be able to:
  • Develop an understanding of approaches to theory construction and research design
  • Demonstrate an awareness of relationships between theory and data for political research
  • Develop an understanding of the issues and stages involved in the research process to critically address political science questions
  • Critically appraise the different methodological tools available to collect data
Assessment 35201-03 : Essay - 4000 words : Coursework (100%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions Assessment: 1 x 4000 word essay (100%)
Reassessment: resit of failed piece or pieces of assessment
Other
Reading List