"If you could learn only one thing in graduate school, it should be how to do scholarly research" (Gary King, Harvard University). By teaching the fundamental logic and process of empirical and interpretive research, and by giving some essential methodological tools in both quantitative and qualitative research, this course helps students assess existing studies, identify their own research questions, develop arguments, and formulate strategies to conduct research.

Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

• 1. formulate their own research question and to choose a proper research design that could examine the question;
• 2. assess conditions under which one can properly apply tools of measurement and systematic ways to make inferences and interpret data
• 3. undertake critical evaluations of methodological issues and problems in existing empirical research;
• 4. demonstrate a basic knowledge of commonly used methodological tools in empirical research, including surveys, interviews, content analysis, case selection and comparison, and basic statistical methods;
• 5. consider a variety of approaches to research in social sciences.

 60% Short notes (Learning outcomes #1 - #6).

 40% In-class test (Learning outcomes #1 - #5).

Weekly lectures (2.5 hours x 13 weeks).

3-5 hours per week for reading and preparation outside of contact hours to complete the course

Non-Crawford students need to contact the convener and obtain permission to enroll in this course.

This course does not assume that students have prior knowledge of statistics.

There is no pre/co-requisite course. If you intend to take POGO8035 Research Project in Semester 2, you must take POGO8096 or an equivalent course on research methods.

Students who have already taken a similar research methods course elsewhere.

Shively, W. Phillips. 2009. The Craft of Political Research. Seventh Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

To be distributed.

Delivery Mode:

Weekly lectures. All lecture notes (PowerPoint slides) and audio recordings will be uploaded to Wattle after each lecture.