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

Module code: PIM85

Module provider: Graduate Institute for Politics and International Studies

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Scott Edwards, email: s.a.edwards@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 5 August 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

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. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will 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 

Module content

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, and ethnographic methods. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module will be taught in weekly two-hour seminars. 

Study hours

At least 22 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.