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POL50200

Academic Year 2024/2025

Qualitative Research Methods (CORE) (POL50200)

Subject:
Politics
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Politics & Int Relations
Level:
5 (Doctoral)
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.

The module deals with three core uses of qualitative methods in political science: 1) Methods related to research design such as case studies, 2) Methods related to analysis, such as process tracing and content analysis, and 3) Methods for data collection, such as elite interviews or focus groups. In addition, we will discuss practical aspects that arise in the use of qualitative methods such as transparency, research ethics, data management or software use.

The module's primary goal is to assist students with designing their research. We will devote time to both epistemological discussions and practical aspects of employing qualitative methods, linking the discussed methods to participants' research, and helping them overcome methodological challenges. The format combines lectures with student presentations and practical exercises.

The module format combines lectures with discussions of papers and practical exercises.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

The course's specific learning objectives and goals include:
- awareness about how methodological choices are closely linked to conceptual issues
- familiarity with a variety of research methods, including interviewing, case studies, process tracing, and the use of documentary/primary sources;
- ability to consider the appropriateness of different methodologies and types of evidence to test alternative hypotheses and to construct arguments;
- understand advantages and limitations of qualitative research
- understand ethical issues in social science research
- awareness about the need of transparency in qualitative research

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

200
Lectures

24
Total

224

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
seminar
research presentations
discussions
exercises

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

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 12:00 - 13:50
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