POL42330 Research Design

Academic Year 2023/2024

This module is about how to answer research questions in the social and political sciences. The topics we cover include key social science research concepts and the logic of various types of quantitative and qualitative research designs. The module will be based on lectures, group discussions and small group exercises, with the aim of enabling you to better assess the merits of existing social science research and providing you with the tools to undertake independent research of your own.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Students in this module will learn about core concepts of social science research design, with a focus on the fields of political science and international relations. Students will learn to critically assess empirical social science research and to reflect on the logic, advantages and disadvantages of different designs. Students will gain experience in developing a research design to address a research question of their interest.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24

Autonomous Student Learning

200

Total

224

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
• Lectures
• Group work
• Critical writing
• Reflective learning 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Review of research article Unspecified n/a Graded No

30

Assignment: Individual research design assignment. Unspecified n/a Graded No

70


Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be provided to students within 20 working days of the deadline for the assignment in accordance with university policy.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Autumn
     
Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 15:00 - 16:50