PIM85-Introduction to Qualitative research methods in Politics and International Relations

Module Provider: Graduate Institute for Politics and International Studies
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Joseph O' Mahoney
Email: j.p.a.omahoney@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module covers the basics of research design and focuses attention on a range of widely used qualitative research methods in the study of politics and international relations. The main topics covered normally include case studies and within-case analysis or process-tracing, small-n comparative analysis, historical approaches, archival research, interview technique, critical discourse analysis, ethnographic methods and qualitative comparative analysis.Ìý

Aims:
1. To equip students with an understanding of qualitative methods used in social science research.
2. To analyse the advantages and disadvantages of various research techniques and to consider for what purposes those techniques are most appropriate

Assessable learning outcomes:
At the end of this unit students should be able to:

1. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of various qualitative social research methods
2. Evaluate the appropriateness of these methods for their own research task
3. Critically evaluate the qualitative research methods employed in social science literature

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module will be taught in weekly two-hour seminars in the Autumn and Spring Terms. Students will be encouraged to use examples taken from their own field (and from their own research, where possible) in class discussion.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

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A 3,000-word report outlining how the research methods covered in the module could be applied to an actual research project (worth 60% of the module mark).

A Portfolio made up of a research question, annotated bibliography, literature review, and research design, totalling 3000 words.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 􀀓Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes􀀔, which can be found here: