Academic Writing and Publishing

2024/2025

Academic Year

ENG

Instruction in English

ECTS credits

Delivered by:

School of International Affairs

Type:

Elective course

When:

1 year, 1 semester

Instructor

Nikiporets-Takigawa, Galina

Course Syllabus

Abstract

Methods in International Relations and Modern History The purpose of the course is to develop PhD-students’ skills in preparing and writing research texts, primarily articles, reviews, as well as an understanding of the specifics of each genre of research publications and the basic techniques of a publication strategy (choosing a journal, submitting manuscripts and interacting with the editors as part of the peer review process, etc.).

Learning Objectives

• To provide students with a thorough understanding of the central components of designing research and of developing a well-structured research project and proposal. To expose students to basic quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods skills for the purposes of describing and explaining political phenomena, and the analysis of data on issues in global politics. To teach students how to plan an original study, develop an instrument, and gather data to test hypotheses To develop students' skills to work in small project groups

Expected Learning Outcomes

• Be able to use statistical data. Construct a coherent research proposal that includes an abstract, introduction, literature review, research questions, ethical considerations, and methodology. Define a research problem. Define an optimal publication strategy Identify and explain the difference between quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research and what types of research questions can be answered with each method.
• Identify the logic of different methodological approaches (notably the positivist and non-positivist epistemology). Identify variables needed for research questions and apply the appropriate method. Identify, explain, and apply the basic concepts of research, such as variables, operationalization, sampling, reliability, and validity Master different techniques of textual analysis
• Read, interpret, and critically evaluate research in international relations. Recognize the ethical issues involved in research, and practice ethical research standards. Use a variety of research methods through hands-on experience (notably case study/comparative case study, process tracing, interviews/focus groups, content analysis/discourse analysis, QCA, and surveys). Use theory and previous research (based on appropriate literature review) to create research questions and hypotheses.

Course Contents

• Introduction
• Knowledge and knowing in social science research
• Values versus objectivity in social science research
• Research ethics
• Finding a research topic and devising a research question
• Literature review
• Finding answers
• Qualitative methods: Case study
• Historical methods
• Textual analysis
• Making sense of statistical data
• Presentation and discussion of group work
• Publishing your research

Assessment Elements

• Seminars
• Exam
• Literary review

Interim Assessment

• 2024/2025 1st semester
  0.5 * Exam + 0.2 * Literary review + 0.3 * Seminars

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Bhattacherjee, A. (2012). Social Science Research : Principles, Methods, and Practices. Place of publication not identified: Global Text Project. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsotl&AN=edsotl.OTLid0000079
• Sandoval, I. S. (2016). Understanding Political Science Research Methods: The Challenge of Inference. Political Studies Review, 14(3), 451. https://doi.org/10.1177/1478929916655062

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Johnson, J. B. (DE-588)143613529, (DE-627)647702657, (DE-576)337971323, aut. (2012). Political science research methods Janet Buttolph Johnson; H. T. Reynolds.