Universität Wien

210107 UE M2: UE Research Methods for Political Science (2018S)

Research Methods for Political Science (engl.)

8.00 ECTS (4.00 SWS), SPL 21 - Politikwissenschaft
Continuous assessment of course work

A registration via u:space during the registration phase is required. Late registrations are NOT possible.
Students who miss the first lesson without prior notification will lose their seat in the course.

Follow the principles of good scientific practice.

The course instructor may invite students to an oral exam about the student’s written contributions in the course. Plagiarized contributions have the consequence that the course won’t be graded (instead the course will be marked with an ‘X’ in the transcript of records).
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 35 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Note: no class on Tuesday 26.06.2018

  • Tuesday 06.03. 13:45 - 16:45 Class Room 3 ZID UniCampus Hof 7 Eingang 7.1 2H-O1-25
  • Tuesday 13.03. 13:45 - 16:45 Class Room 3 ZID UniCampus Hof 7 Eingang 7.1 2H-O1-25
  • Tuesday 20.03. 13:45 - 16:45 Class Room 3 ZID UniCampus Hof 7 Eingang 7.1 2H-O1-25
  • Tuesday 10.04. 13:45 - 16:45 Class Room 3 ZID UniCampus Hof 7 Eingang 7.1 2H-O1-25
  • Tuesday 17.04. 13:45 - 16:45 Class Room 3 ZID UniCampus Hof 7 Eingang 7.1 2H-O1-25
  • Tuesday 24.04. 13:45 - 16:45 Class Room 3 ZID UniCampus Hof 7 Eingang 7.1 2H-O1-25
  • Tuesday 08.05. 13:45 - 16:45 Class Room 3 ZID UniCampus Hof 7 Eingang 7.1 2H-O1-25
  • Tuesday 15.05. 13:45 - 16:45 Class Room 3 ZID UniCampus Hof 7 Eingang 7.1 2H-O1-25
  • Tuesday 29.05. 13:45 - 16:45 Class Room 3 ZID UniCampus Hof 7 Eingang 7.1 2H-O1-25
  • Tuesday 05.06. 13:45 - 16:45 Class Room 3 ZID UniCampus Hof 7 Eingang 7.1 2H-O1-25
  • Tuesday 12.06. 13:45 - 16:45 Class Room 3 ZID UniCampus Hof 7 Eingang 7.1 2H-O1-25
  • Tuesday 19.06. 13:45 - 16:45 Class Room 3 ZID UniCampus Hof 7 Eingang 7.1 2H-O1-25
  • Tuesday 26.06. 13:45 - 16:45 Class Room 3 ZID UniCampus Hof 7 Eingang 7.1 2H-O1-25

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

The course provides students with the knowledge of quantitative research approaches and methods that are necessary for researching and writing an MA thesis. This course is important because you will learn how to conduct research, particularly within the social science field.
The course deals with the development of a research design. For this purpose all key concepts and steps of the research design are discussed: formulation of a research question, literature review, theory, hypothesis definition and testing, concept definitions and operationalization, case selection and empirical verification. Some of the questions that will be discussed include the following: How do I find a research question? How to formulate a research question? What elements should a quantitative research design include? How can a research question be adequately justified theoretically? The seminar also discusses statistical methods that are useful for answering the research question and to verify the hypotheses formulated. The empirical analyses are carried out using Stata in the computer room.
Learning Outcomes
Assuming that you have read the material and participated regularly in class, the seminar will:
- sharpen your ability to produce original research in social science while developing skills in designing and conducting research studies, collecting and analysing data, drawing appropriate conclusions based on statistical results, and writing up scientific reports;
- help you choosing your MA thesis research question, collecting data and evidence, drawing conclusions and writing up your thesis;
- help you in analysing quantitative data and interpreting your results using Stata, a common statistical analysis programme used in the social sciences;
- develop your capacity for critically evaluating “scientific evidence” that is communicated in academic journals, the popular press, and other outlets such as reports from government agencies, non-profit organizations, and corporations.

Assessment and permitted materials

The final grade is made up of:
- active class participation (10%)
- homework (30%)
- final paper (60%)

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Students will be assessed based on their ability to formulate and implement a research question as well as on their knowledge of key quantitative skills.

Examination topics

Reading list

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:38