B0134 - RESEARCH METHODS FOR THE SOCIAL SCIENCES

Learning outcomes

The course aims to reconstruct the debate on the Method in the social sciences and aims to offer students a framework of the strategies and techniques of detection and analysis most frequently used in socio-political empirical research. The course is dedicated to students who have never dealt with topics related to the Method and techniques of Social Research, neither from the theoretical point of view nor from the empirical point of view. The course focuses on some central themes of the Methodology of empirical Research in the Social Sciences. At the end of the course the student is expected to: - have a basic knowledge of some central themes of the Epistemology of empirical Research; - know how to apply logic elements in the preparation of research design and in the interpretation of the results of an investigation; - to critically evaluate the quantitative and qualitative empirical investigations presented in journals and/or academic publications; - have the ability to find information by consulting the available databases; - use the basic statistical analysis techniques for the description of economic, political and social phenomena.

Course contents

Content of the course

The course aims to give students a broad understanding of research methodology and qualitative methods. During the course students will acquire skills for critical reading of research literature and for developing a research proposal for a master’s thesis project.

By the end of the course students will be able to:

Understand the major concepts involved in designing and conducting research

Formulate a research question

Design a research proposal

Identify and use autonomously primary and secondary sources.

Consider the appropriateness of different research strategies.

Critically evaluate the contribution of existing research.

Effectively present a research proposals.

 

Given the pratical nature of the subject, active partecipation during seminars and discussions is essential to obtain a good evaluation.

Schedule of classes

1. The structure of a good research paper
2. From topic to research questions.
3. Variables, hypotheses, theories.
4. Theories, assumptions, and paradigms
5. Values and neutrality in social sciences.
6. Cases and critical junctures
7. Mapping the field: secondary sources and literature reviews
8. Primary sources
9. Fieldwork, archives and Interviews
10. Writing and presenting your research
11. Presentations
12. Presentations
13. Presentations
14. Presentations.
15. Guest lecture.

Readings/Bibliography

Readings/Bibliography

Lamont, C. (2021). Research methods in international relations. Sage. (ch.1-2-4-10)

Halperin, S. & Heath, O. (2016) Political Research: Methods and Practical Skills, 2^nd edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press. (ch. 2-3-5-6-9)

Hancké, B. (2009). Intelligent research design: a guide for beginning researchers in the social sciences. Oxford University Press. (ch.5+ appendix)

Gustafsson, K. & Hagstrom, L. (2017). “What is the point? Teaching Graduate Students how to Construct Political Science Research Puzzles.” European Political Science, pp. 1‐15

Sartori, G. (1991). Comparing and miscomparing. Journal of theoretical politics, 3(3), 243-257.

Mosley, L. (2013). “Introduction. ‘Just Talk to People’? Interviews in Contemporary in Political Science.” In Interview Research in Political Science, edited by Layna Mosley, Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1–30.

Capoccia, G., & Kelemen, R. D. (2007). The study of critical junctures: Theory, narrative, and counterfactuals in historical institutionalism. World politics, 59(3), 341-369.

Teaching methods

Seminars, students' presentations, discussions, active learning.

Assessment methods

30% Class Participation

30% Presentation

40% Final Assignments

Office hours

See the website of Matteo Dian