COURSE UNIT TITLE

: RESEARCH METHODS IN SOCIAL SCIENCES

DEGREE PROGRAMMES

Description of Individual Course Units

Course Unit Code Course Unit Title Type Of Course D U L ECTS
IRL 5001 RESEARCH METHODS IN SOCIAL SCIENCES COMPULSORY 3 0 0 8

Offered By

International Relations (English)

Level of Course Unit

Second Cycle Programmes (Master's Degree)

Course Coordinator

PROFESSOR GÜL MEHPARE KURTOĞLU ESKIŞAR

Offered to

International Relations (English)

Course Objective

This course aims to provide a detailed understanding of the mainstream techniques and some of the leading (both contemporary and classic) debates related to conducting research in social sciences, with a specific focus on international relations.

Learning Outcomes of the Course Unit

1   Gain in depth knowledge of some of the leading contemporary and classic debates on the epistemological and ontological roots of doing research in social sciences in general, and international relations in particular.
2   Have a better understanding of some of the outstanding methodological issues and debates surrounding social science research in general, and international relations in particular.
3   Develop an improved awareness of ethical issues and dilemmas surrounding academic research in social sciences.
4   Develop the ability to solve some of the common problems and issues while undertaking research in social sciences.
5   Improve ability to match appropriate research methods and analytical skills with research topic or question on hand.
6   Gain the ability to design and conduct graduate level academic research.
7   Improve written and oral skills that are required to conduct and discuss and/or debate a research design.

Mode of Delivery

Face -to- Face

Prerequisites and Co-requisites

None

Recomended Optional Programme Components

None

Course Contents

Week Subject Description
1 Introduction
2 Science and Scientific Method: why
3 Nuts and Bolts of Doing Research-I
4 Scientific Method-and its critics-II
5 Nuts and Bolts of Doing Research-II
6 Scientific Method-and its critics-III
7 Midterm
8 Comparative Method in Social Sciences-I
9 Nuts and Bolts of Doing Research-III
10 Comparative Method in Social Sciences-II
11 Nuts and Bolts of Doing Research-IV
12 Scientific Inquiry
13 Nuts and Bolts of Doing Research-V
14 Working with Few Cases: Problems and Solutions, Conclusion

Recomended or Required Reading

Textbook(s):
1. Gary King, Robert O. Keohane, Sidney Verba, Designing Social Inquiry, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1994.
2. Paul Pennings, Hans Keman and Jan Kleinnijenhuis, Doing Research in Political Science: an introduction to comparative methods and statistics, London: Sage Publications, 1999.

Supplementary Book(s):

1. James M. Carlson, Mark S. Hyde, Doing Empirical Political Research, Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2003.
2. Peter Levin, Write great essays!, Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill, 2004

Other reading materials are TBA.

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

1. Lecture
2. Participation
3. Homework assignment/Term Project

Assessment Methods

SORTING NUMBER SHORT CODE LONG CODE FORMULA
1 MTE MIDTERM EXAM
2 STT TERM WORK (SEMESTER)
3 FIN FINAL EXAM
4 FCG FINAL COURSE GRADE MTE * 0.30 + STT * 0.30 + FIN* 0.40
5 RST RESIT
6 FCGR FINAL COURSE GRADE (RESIT) MTE * 0.30 + STT * 0.30 + RST* 0.40

Further Notes About Assessment Methods

As a part of grading requirements, all students are required to turn in assignments/projects for the instructor's evaluation. The course instructor will provide further details concerning the nature of these assignments.

Based on the level and quality of participation of students in class, the instructor may give quizzes. The course instructor will provide the details concerning quizzes as/when necessary in class.

Late assignments are not accepted under any excuses. There are no exceptions to this rule.

Assessment Criteria

To be announced.

Language of Instruction

English

Course Policies and Rules

As per university and social science institute's regulations, all students are required to attend at least 70% of the classes in order to pass the course.

Contact Details for the Lecturer(s)

gul.kurtoglu@deu.edu.tr

Office Hours

By appointment

Work Placement(s)

None

Workload Calculation

Activities Number Time (hours) Total Work Load (hours)
Lectures 13 3 39
Preparing assignments 2 30 60
Preparation for midterm exam 1 6 6
Preparation for final exam 1 6 6
Preparations before/after weekly lectures 12 8 96
Final 1 2 2
Midterm 1 2 2
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours) 211

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

PO/LOPO.1PO.2PO.3PO.4PO.5PO.6PO.7PO.8PO.9PO.10
LO.15
LO.25
LO.35
LO.45
LO.55
LO.65
LO.75

CONTACT INFORMATION
Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Cumhuriyet Bulvarı No: 144 35210 Alsancak / İZMİR
Phone: +90(232) 412 12 12 - Fax: +90 (232) 464 81 35

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