Degree | Type | Year | Semester |
---|---|---|---|
4313335 Political Science | OB | 0 | 2 |
4317157 Advanced Research in Political Science | OB | 1 | 2 |
The quantitative part of the course assumes no prior knowledge other than a minimal mathematical background. Students who have not taken any type of quantitative course since high school should read the following text before the course starts:
Bolker, E. D., & Mast, M. 2015. Common Sense Mathematics. Mathematical Association of America. Available at http://www.cs.umb.edu/~eb/qrbook/qrbook.pdf.
Those who want to gain some more statistical insight are also strongly encouraged to read:
Wheelan, C. 2013. Naked Statistics: Stripping the Dread from the Data. New York: WW Norton & Company.
Aim of course
The aim of this course is for the students to be familiar with and know how to apply a series of the main social science research techniques of collecting and analysing data. In order to meet these objectives we include both quantitative and qualitative techniques. We cannot cover all the research techniques of the social sciences, but centre on those that can be found in the main social science journals. We prioritize issues of practical training and interpretation over very mathematical questions.
ACQUIRED SKILLS
Specific skills
Transversal skills
QUALITATIVE METHODS (Convenor: Eva Østergaard-Nielsen with guest professors)
Introduction:
Session 1. Introduction to qualitative research techniques (Eva Østergaard-Nielsen)
What are the main characteristics of qualitative research? How to assess validity and reliability in qualitative research? What kind of research questions can we ask using qualitative research techniques? Which types of qualitative techniques can best be combined and how may they be triangulated?
Data collection:
Session 2. Field research
This class will examine methodological and practical issues of ethnographic research. It will cover: typologies of field research, the fieldwork entry, the (participant) observation, the collection of information, and the analyses of qualitative evidence.
Session 3. Interviews I
What are the characteristics and differences between structured, semi-structured and open-ended/narrative interviews? How may the researcher sample the interviewees in a qualitative research project?
Session 4. Interviews II -
Session 5. Interviews III - Focus Group
In this class, there will be an introduction to focus group, taking into account conceptual considerations, best practices and how to design it.
Session 6. Further issues in Qualitative Research
We will cover ethical issues, sensitive topics, and transparency in qualitative research (active citation and archiving).
Data analysis:
Session 7. Discourse analysis
This session will clarify what discourses are, how they function and how we can analyse them. In addition, we will deal with the types of discourse analysis and we will reflect upon the kinds of data we can examine discursively.
Sessions 8, 9, and 10. Analysis of Interviews
QUANTITATIVE METHODS (Convenor: Carol Galais)
Pre-course Session A: Introduction to data analysis
Pre-course Session B: Descriptive statistics
Session 1: Basic bivariate analysis
Session 2: Introduction to statistical inference
Session 3: Bivariate hypothesis testing
Session 4: Correlation and bivariate regression
Session 5: Multiple regression (I)
Session 6: Summary/recap of previous sessions
Session 7: MIDTERM EXAM
Session 8: Multiple regression (II): Categorical independent variables
Session 9: Multiple regression (III): Interactions
Session 10: Logistic regression (I)
Session 11: Logistic regression (II)
Sessions 12 and 13: Limits and alternatives to regression for causal inference
Session 14: Recap of previous sessions
Session 15: FINAL EXAM
The sessions on quantitative and qualitative research techniques will be taught in parallel over the 8 weeks of the course. The classes combine theoretical lectures with seminars and sessions of practicing different techniques. An important part of the course takes place outside of the classroom in order to consolidate the use of a selection of the research techniques.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|---|---|
Type: Directed | |||
Collective tutoring/discussion of projects | 5 | 0.2 | 22, 20, 8, 15 |
In-class practice | 25 | 1 | 1, 22, 20, 9, 14 |
Lecture | 30 | 1.2 | 19, 20, 9, 8 |
Type: Supervised | |||
Individual tutoring | 10 | 0.4 | 20, 4, 9, 8, 14, 15 |
Type: Autonomous | |||
Qualitative data analysis | 30 | 1.2 | 4 |
Qualitative data collection/generation | 30 | 1.2 | 20, 4, 14 |
Quantitative data analysis | 30 | 1.2 | 20, 4, 9, 8, 14 |
Readings | 30 | 1.2 | 22, 19, 20, 3, 8 |
Writing essays/reports | 30 | 1.2 | 22, 19, 20, 3, 4, 8 |
The mayor parte of the evaluation of this module is through continuous practice and feedback on the understanding and use of various research techniques. The evaluation consiste of:
The evaluation donde qualitative techniques representan 40% of the final grade : The students will hand in 4 exercises during the course:
The evaluation donde quantitative techniques representan 60% of the final grade :
The students will write an essay during the course. The evolution of the assay will be Tracked vía Campus Virtual. Failing to demonstrate progress oro to apply profesores 'advice during the course will have a negative impact on the essay s grade.
They will also complete two exams:
IMPORTANTE: In order to pass the course, it is required for students to obtain a grade of at least 5 over 10 in each of its two partes - qualitative and quantitative.
Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Practice of field research | 13% | 3 | 0.12 | 1, 3, 6, 14 |
Practice of interviews | 13% | 4 | 0.16 | 19, 20, 4, 8, 6, 15 |
Practice on the analysis of qualitative interviews | 13% | 3 | 0.12 | 1, 3, 6, 14 |
Quantitative final exam | 25% | 8 | 0.32 | 21, 22, 19, 20, 18, 3, 12, 10, 9, 8, 5, 6, 14, 13 |
Quantitative home assignment 1 | 20% | 7 | 0.28 | 1, 2, 21, 22, 17, 20, 18, 4, 12, 10, 9, 8, 7, 5, 6, 14, 13, 11, 16, 15 |
Quantitative midterm exam | 15% | 5 | 0.2 | 22, 19, 20, 18, 3, 4, 10, 9, 8, 7, 5, 6, 16, 15 |
Core readings
Qualitative
Bryman, A. 2001. Social Research Methods. Oxford University Press
Creswell, J. 2007. Qualitative Inquiry and research design. Choosing Among Five Approaches
Della Porta, D. & M. Keating, M. 2008. Approaches and Methodologies in the Social Sciences: A Pluralist Perspective. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Kapiszewski, Diana, MacLean, Lauren M., Read, Benjamin L. 2015. Field Research in Political Science: Practices and Principles. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press.
Hesse-Biber, S. And Leavy, P. 2004. Approaches to Qualitative Research. A reader on theory and practice. Oxford. Oxford University Press
Hesse-Biber, S. And Leavy, P. 2006. The practice of qualitative research. Sage.
Denzin, N. K., & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.). 2012. Strategies of Qualitative Inquiry, 4th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Sarantakos, S. 2005. Social Research (third edition). Palgrave Macmillan
Relevant Journals:
International Journal of Qualitative methods http://www.sagepub.in/journals/Journal202499#tabview=manuscriptSubmission
Qualitative Research Journal http://www.emeraldinsight.com/toc/qrj/15/4
Quantitative
Acock, A. C. 2014. A Gentle Introduction to Stata, 4th ed. College Station, TX: Stata Press.
Agresti, A. 2009. Statistical Methods for the Social Sciences, 4th ed. Pearson Prentice Hall.
Kellstedt, P. M. & G. D. Whitten. 2013. The Fundamentals of Political Science Research, 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Lewis-Beck,M. (1980) Applied regression: An introduction. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.
Long, J. S. & J. Freese. 2014. Regression Models for Categorical Dependent Variables Using Stata, Third Edition. College Station, TX: Stata Press.
Pollock, P. H. 2016. The Essentials of Political Analysis, 5th ed. Washington, DC: CQ Press.
Pollock, P. H. 2015. A Stata Companion to Political Analysis, 3rd ed. Washington, DC: CQ Press.
Qualitative
Quantitative