SECKIN BARIS GULMEZ baris.gulmez.2009@live.rhul.ac.uk

BARIŞ (BAARISH)•PhD candidate•Studying Turkey – EU relations•EuroscepticismEmail: baris.gulmez.2009@live.rhul.ac.ukOffice Hours: Wednesday 2-4pmRoom: FW102

FIRST TERM PART I: ISSUES IN POLITICAL

RESEARCH  PART II: QUANTITATIVE METHODS

SECOND TERM PART III: QUALITATIVE METHODS

PART IV: RESEARCH DESIGN

  * Peter Burnham, Karin Gilland Lutz, Wyn

Grant and Zig Layton-Henry (2008). Research Methods in Politics (Palgrave Macmillan)

* David De Vaus (2002). Surveys in Social Research (London Routledge).

* Colin Hay (2002). Political Analysis (Palgrave).

There are three assessed coursework assignments (see handbook). One 2000-2500 word essay on quantitative

research methods to be submitted to the Politics & IR office by 12 noon on Tuesday 6th December 2011.

One 2000-2500 word essay on research design to be submitted to the Politics & IR office by 12 noon on Tuesday 20th March 2012.

Examination in summer term

Discuss with your peers:

1) what it means to be a university student: how is it different than a high school student?

2) what we should expect from the seminar tutor: How is this role different than lecturer?

Politics and Science

Can the study of politics be scientific?

How?

political science vs. political journalism

Group up in 4-5

Read the two excerpts and ask each other:

Does the author provide a reliable account of why the riots took place?

Which claims are being made? Do they rely on credible sources?

Is the author biased/objective in his analysis?

Week 3: Explanation and Understanding

Are law-like explanations possible within social science?

Can social scientists use the same research methods with natural scientists?

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!