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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.

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

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this module, the students will:
- Understand the logic of qualitative causal inference and distinguish it from other forms of inference
- Identify causal mechanisms, and 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.
- Understand the advantages and limitations of qualitative research

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Autonomous Student Learning

200
Total

224

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Teaching and learning activities will require students to engage with current academic research and to link theories with specific empirical cases. Sessions include theory lectures, empirical examples, group work, and class discussions. Participants are expected to prepare thoroughly for each class, particularly engaging with core compulsory readings, and allocate a substantial amount of time to completing assessment work outside the classroom hours.

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
Reflective Assignment: Completion of the UCD research integrity training (and uploading the certificate) Week 4 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
20
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): First draft of research design (RQ, literature/hypotheses, case selection) Week 8 Graded No
30
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Final version of research design Week 12 Graded No
50
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn 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
• 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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