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POL41640

Academic Year 2024/2025

Qualitative Research Methods for Political Science (POL41640)

Subject:
Politics
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Politics & Int Relations
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr Elifcan Celebi
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This seminar introduces graduate students to the logic of inference (descriptive and causal) in the qualitative tradition in political science research. It exposes students to the logic behind concept formation, within and cross- case study designs. The module is designed for students to understand the distinctive ways in which qualitative researchers think about the structure of causal relations, standards of good practices to make causal inferences, case selection strategies, and criteria to evaluate the inferential power of causal process observations. The course focuses on understanding causal processes producing outcomes in specific cases.


About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this module graduate researchers will be quipped to:

Understand the logic of qualitative causal inference and distinguish it from other forms of inference
Identify causal mechanisms, causal processes and how to trace them
Identify adequate case selection strategies and pursue comparative and counter-factual thinking
Understand the difference between qualitative research design, techniques, and data gathering tools

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

228
Lectures

22
Total

250

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
To achieve the objectives set, this module is run as a seminar, it relies heavily on student engagement with reading materials prior to class, and active participation in the classroom, as well as individual and group work.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): First draft research design Week 8 Graded No

30

 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Revised version of research design assignment. Week 12 Graded No

30

 No
Participation in Learning Activities: Class participation is an essential component of this module. You are expected to come to class prepared to ask questions and engage with the material. Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Graded No

20

 No
Reflective Assignment: Brief written reflection (100-150 words) based on the reading materials. Weekly, prior to class. Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Graded No

20

 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

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