Research Design, Practice and Ethics
Key Facts
| Module Code |
POLI4126 |
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| Module Convenor |
Cees van der Eijk |
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| Teaching Pattern |
Semester
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| Semester Taught |
Autumn Semester |
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| Method of Assessment |
Written assignment |
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| Pre Requisites |
Please check suitability of course with module convenor
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| Module Administrator |
Rosemary McCabe |
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This course focuses on the analytical, practical and ethical organisation of social science research.
The analytical organisation is often referred to as research design and will constitute the bulk of the content of this course.Research design consists of choices necessary to transform a research question into actual research. These choices pertain to strategies and modes of case selection, observation methods, data collection and modes of analysis, and these choices pertain equally to so-called ‘qualitative’, ‘quantitative’ and ‘mixed methods’ studies. Every research question can be elaborated in different ways (i.e., with different designs), none of which will be ideal in all respects as the various choices pertain involve. Each design has its own implications in terms of costs and in terms of potential threats to the validity of its eventual conclusions. The course discusses these implications and how to handle the resulting choice problems in actual practice.
The practical organisation of research is closely related to design choices, but focuses particularly on logistical timing and resource issues.
Ethical organisation of the research involves awareness of ethical issues, of ethical consent procedures and of their implications for research design and practical organisation.
Please note, this is an interdisciplinary module that is open to students from across the social sciences. If you have any doubts about whether the course is suitable for your needs or level of study, please contact the module convenor before registering.