Quantitative and Qualitative Tools for the Innovation Driven Study of Politics (SZF_071)
About Study Course
Objective
The objective of the course is to introduce students to the latest tools and methods used worldwide in political science research to help them with their course papers and Bachelor’s thesis. Given the increasing emphasis of political science research on the use of mixed methods, the course is designed as a composite of two parts – quantitative and qualitative – while emphasising the compatibility of the two categories of methods in answering current questions in politics. The course will cover qualitative research methods such as interviews, process tracing, qualitative comparative analysis (QCA), content, content/discourse analysis, social network analysis and ethnography. This will be complemented by quantitative methods such as bivariate/multivariate regression analysis, automated text analysis and experiments. The course will also develop students’ ability to think like scientists by introducing the principles of independent and dependent variables, good evidence selection practices, causal relationships (and how to establish them), and how to limit the influence of personal beliefs on research results.
Prerequisites
No prior knowledge required. A minimum knowledge of Stata and R software will help in the study process.
Learning outcomes
As a result of the course, students will become more familiar with the political science literature and recognise the research methods used by researchers. They will be able to understand the basic principles on which the author’s arguments have been based, and potentially find possible research gaps. Students will also gain knowledge about the prerequisites for high-quality scientific research and learn to distinguish between inconclusive and conclusive
evidence. They will also gain an understanding of the role of theory in explaining political issues and potentially begin to assess the impact of their positionality and personal views on the scientific results produced.
During the course, students will acquire first skills in the use of statistical software (Stata and R) and, through practical exercises, will learn to integrate methods into potential research projects at a basic level. Regular presentations will also help to develop the skills to present research results in front of a large audience. In addition, through peer discussion, students will have learned at a basic level how to provide constructive scientific criticism and advice on improving the research of others.
Students will be able to orient in the main standards of political science, which will support them in developing both their course paper and Bachelor’s thesis.
Study course planning
| Study programme | Study semester | Program level | Study course category | Lecturers | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Relations - European Studies, SE | 5 | Bachelor’s | Limited choice | Toms Rātfelders |
