Information Package
baskent.edu.tr

Ph.D. in Political Science

PSIR602

RESEARCH METHODS

Course Code
PSIR602
Semester
Second Term (Spring)
Theory+Practice
3 + 0
ECTS
10
Course TypeCompulsory Course
Course LevelDoctorate Of Science
Year of Study1
SemesterSecond Term (Spring)
ECTS10
Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, the students;

  1. Distinguish basic social scientific approaches and theoretical orientations and develop them in writing their thesis;
  2. Understand topics and questions that are appropriate and inappropriate for social science research;
  3. Comprehend logics of empirical research and the centrality of showing empirical evidences to social and political science research;
  4. Know various data gathering and data analysis processes and creatively link them to each other in writing their thesis or in developing their research themes and questions; and
  5. Evaluate and assess the centrality of the logic if (self-)critical thinking in conducting social scientific research.
Mode of DeliveryFace to face
PrerequisitesNo
Recommended Optional Programme ComponentsNo
Course DescriptionThis course is designed for postgraduate students of political science and international relations students in order to introduce the fundamental methodological and strategic approaches that shape social and political science research. Comprehending the diversity of scientific perspectives towards social and political issues, and understanding the necessary stages of scientific research are important objectives of this course. In that scope, the introductory part of this course will compare the differences between social sciences and natural sciences. The specificity of social sciences will be revealed through focusing on four key elements, which are "the significance of context", "explanation", "interpretation", and "critique", and emphasis will be given to the relationships among these elements. Following this part, data gathering and data analysis processes and procedures will be explained through introducing qualitative and quantitative modes of explanations in social science research. Central stages of scientific research such as formulating research questions, writing research proposals, designing samples and selection of cases will also be explained in this part. In the third part, meanings of and relations between "ontology" and "epistemology" as the two levels of social science research will be explained. Various approaches and theory construction processes that stem out of linking these two levels in different ways will be examined. In Techniques and strategies in conducting research, preparing research proposals, and reporting drafts will be introduced in the final part.
Course Contents
WEEK TOPICS
1st Week What is Social Science, What Is Not?
2nd Week Genuineness of Social Sciences: Comparing Social Science with Natural Sciences
3rd Week The Three Fundamental Elements of Social Sciences: Explanation, Interpretation, and Critique
4th Week Research Design and Introduction to Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methodologies
5th Week Quantitative Modes of Observation: Survey Research, Comparative Method, and Content Analysis
6th Week Qualitative Modes of Observations: Field Research, and Historical-Comparative Research
7th Week Data Analysis in Quantitative and Qualitative Research
8th Week Mid-term Exam
9th Week Introduction to Ontological and Epistemological Approaches
10th Week Theory Construction-1: Deductive and Causal Explanations
11th Week Theory Construction-2: Inductive and Interpretative Explanations
12th Week Theory Construction-3: Retroduction and Logics Approach
13th Week Writing Research Proposals
14th Week Presenting Research
Recommended or Required Reading1. HAFTA: Laclau. E. (1991) "Intellectual Strategies" Memorandum to PhD Students in the IDA Programme*, Essex University.
Ball, T. (1976) ?From Paradigms to Research Programs: Toward a post-Kuhnian Political Science? American Journal of Political Science (20:1), pp. 151-177.
2. HAFTA: Flyvbjerg, B. (2001) Making Social Science Matter: Why Social Inquiry Fails and How It Can Succeed Again (New York: Cambridge University Press), pp. 1-49.
3. HAFTA: Bevir, M., and R. A. W. Rhodes (2004) "Interpretation as Method, Explanation, and Critique: A Reply" British Journal of Politics and International Relations (6), pp. 156-164.
Howarth, D., J. Glynos, and S. Griggs (2016) "Discourse, Explanation and Critique" Critical Policy Study (10:1), pp. 99-104.
Slembrouck, S. (2001) "Explanation, Interpretation and Critique in the Analysis of Discourse" Critique of Anthropology (21:3), pp. 33-57.
4. HAFTA: Neuman, W. L. (2007) Basics of Social Research: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches (Boston, MA: Peason), pp. 68-107.
5. HAFTA: Neuman, W. L. (2007) Basics of Social Research: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches (Boston, MA: Peason), pp. 166-199; 227-236.
Lijphart, A. (1971), ?Comparative Politics and the Comparative Method? American Political Science Review 65(3), pp. 682-693.
6. HAFTA: Seawright, J. and Gerring, J. (2008) "Case Selection Techniques in Case Study Research: A Menu of Qualitative and Quantitative Options" Political Research Quarterly 61 (2), 294-308.
Wood, E. J. (2009) "Field Research" in C. Boix, and S. C. Stokes (eds.) The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Politics (Oxford: Oxford University Press), pp. 123-146.
Mahoney, J. (2004) "Comparative-Historical Methodology" Annual Review of Sociology (30), pp. 81-100.
7. HAFTA: Neuman, W. L. (2007) Basics of Social Research: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches (Boston, MA: Peason), pp. 247-274; 327-342.
8. HAFTA: Furlong, P., and D. Marsh (2010) "A Skin Not a Sweater: Ontology and Epistemology in Political Science" in D. Marsh and Gerry Stoker (eds.) Theory and Methods in Political Science 3rd edition (eds.) (New York: Palgrave Macmillan), pp. 184-211
Gunnel, J. G. (1969) "Deduction, Explanation and Social Scientific Inquiry" The American Political Science Review (63:4), pp. 1233-1246.
9. HAFTA: Heritier. A. (2008) "Causal Explanation" in D. Della Porta, and Michael Keating (eds.) Approaches and Methodologies in the Social Sciences: A Pluralist Perspective (New York: Cambridge University Press), pp. 61-79.
Riker, W. H. (1982) "The Two-Party System and Duverger's Law: An Essay on the History of Political Science" The American Political Science Review (76:4), pp. 753-766.
Tilly, C. (2001) "Mechanisms in Political Processes? Annual Review of Political Science (4), pp. 21-41.
10. HAFTA:
Chalmers, A. (2013) What Is This Thing Called Science? 4th ed. (Queensland: UQP), pp. xix-54.
Winch, P. (1997) "Can We Understand Ourselves?? Philosophical Investigations (20:3), pp. 193-204.
11. HAFTA: Glynos, J.. and D. Howarth (2019) "The Retroductive Cycle: The Research Process in Poststructuralist Discourse Analysis" in T Martilla (ed.) Discourse, Culture and Organization: Inquiries into Relational Structures of Power (ebook: Palgrave Macmillan), pp. 105-125.
Glynos, J., and D. Howarth (2007) Logics of Critical Explanation in Social and Political Theory (London and New York: Routledge), pp. 133-164.
12. HAFTA: Booth, C. W., G. G. Colomb, and J. M. Williams (2008) The Craft of Research 3rd ed. (Chicago and London: The University of Chicago Press), pp. 187-212
Neuman, W. L. (2017) Understanding Research 2nd ed. (New York: Pearson) pp. 261-287.
13. HAFTA: Booth, C. W., G. G. Colomb, and J. M. Williams (2008) The Craft of Research 3rd ed. (Chicago and London: The University of Chicago Press), pp. 103-138; 232-248.
14. HAFTA:Booth, C. W., G. G. Colomb, and J. M. Williams (2008) The Craft of Research 3rd ed. pp. 213-231.




Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
  • Lecture
  • Discussion
  • Questions/Answers
  • Other
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Quantity Percentage (%)
Mid-term 1 20
Assignment 10 20
Project 1 30
Total(%) 70
Contribution of In-term Studies to Overall Grade(%) 70
Contribution of Final Examination to Overall Grade(%) 30
Total(%) 100
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration (Hour) Total Workload (Hour)
Midterm exam 1 2 2
Preparation for Quiz
Individual or group work 14 5 70
Preparation for Final exam 1 60 60
Course hours 14 3 42
Preparation for Midterm exam 1 50 50
Laboratory (including preparation)
Final exam 1 2 2
Homework 11 7 77
Total Work Load303
Total Work Load / 30 (h)10.1
ECTS Credit of the Course10
Language of InstructionEnglish
Work Placement(s)No

Programme Qualifications / Learning Outcomes

LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
K1 X X
K2 X
K3 X X X X
K4 X X
K5
K6 X
K7
K8
K9
K10
K11 X X
K12 X X X X X