Programme of Study Catalogue

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Assess critically a range of primary and secondary sources from which qualitative and quantitative data concerning specific topics in Politics and International Relations could be extracted, and the kinds of questions they could be used to answer.
Demonstrate an understanding to collect data appropriate to the research question (qualitative, quantiative or mixed methods).
Demonstrate the ability to analyse data (qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods) and present findings clearly using appropriate presentation methods.
Produce an outline for a research project, including hypothesis/key question, sub-questions, basic methodology and a bibliography of relevant sources.

Content:

This module examines how social data may be collected, displayed, analysed and explained effectively. It introduces students to the criticism, interpretation and presentation of data and research findings. This module will also develop the skills required to plan and begin an independent research project within a supportive learning environment, and reinforce research skills developed in other modules. The first section will cover the basic skills required to prepare a research proposal and project, and will support the production of (for example): a basic outline for a research project; a brief annotated bibliography; a critical review of one of the secondary sources; and a critical review of one of the primary sources on the bibliography. This will be undertaken in an area of research in which the module tutor is familiar.

In the second section, students will focus on developing a research proposal of a type and scope suitable for a Level 6 Dissertation. This exercise is to exemplify the scope, range and level of detail in such a project. Students will not be locked in to this dissertation project for their Level 6 Dissertation. Their proposals will include a short reflective report on their development of research and independent learning skills across the level and throughout the year.

Learning and Teaching Information:

A range of learning and teaching methods are used, including workshops, computer workshops, group work and group presentations. The module employs a range of empirical data, with students gaining experience in analysing and writing about numerical evidence.

In the first sessions, the development of research project skills will be supported through weekly 2-hour workshops, allowing the students time to work independently. The workshops will focus on briefing students on how to prepare e.g. outlines for research projects, and will also allow students to present work-in-progress to their tutor and peers. In the second section, students will attend two 2-hour workshops, and four individual tutorials (15 minutes each) with their projected supervisor, with the aim of developing a research proposal of a size and scope suitable for the Level 6 Dissertation (students will not be locked in at Level 6 to the proposal they offer at Level 5). The low level of contact hours is to allow personalised guidance at this point for each student.

Seminars/workshops
Hours: 29
Intended Group Size: 25

Tutorials
Hours: 1
Intended Group Size: 1

Guided independent study
Hours: 170

Further details relating to assessment
Assessment 1 - the portfolio: this will include the hypothesis, sub-questions and basic methodology for a research project, and reviews of one primary and one secondary source relevant to this project.
Assessment 2 - the research proposal: this will include the hypothesis, sub-questions and basic methodology for the research project of a size and scope suitable for a Level 6 dissertation topic, as well as annotated bibliographies of primary and secondary sources, and a short reflective report on the development of research and independent learning skills in the course of the module

Other relevant matters
The module continues the research strand from PTC 4032 Introduction to Political Analysis. Students will bring from that Level 4 module a basic awareness of the nature of research, qualitative and statistical evidence and methods for visualisation. In PTC 5032 Political Science students will be introduced to IBM SPSS software and will learn to design research projects to test given hypotheses and address research questions. Within this module, students will design a research proposal for the project, suitable to carry out for PTC 6034 Politics and International Relations Professional Research Project, though they will be free to propose a new topic for the dissertation module.

Assessment:

001 Portfolio; 1,500 words; Mid-Semester Two 40%
002 Research Proposal; 2,500 words; End of Semester Two 60%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - William Allchorn
Level - 5
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 5YL