Political Science Research Methods
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GSIA218 Designing Social Inquiry (3 Credits, Spring 2013) GSIS, Sogang University Instructor: Dr. Dongsoo Kim Section #: 01 Email: [email protected] Class Time: T 14:00 – 16:45 Phone: 02)901-2635 Class Location: J601 Office: Korean Institute of National Unification (KINU), Main Building #309 Office Hours: by appointment Class Website: TBA Course Description and Objective The objective of this course is to provide the students with a sound foundation for pursuing the study of international relations as an empirical enterprise. To achieve this objective, this course will offer an overview of some of the key epistemological and methodological issues that international relations researchers have to deal with. In other words, this course will introduce students to a variety of tools used to conduct empirical research in international relations. At the end of the semester, students will therefore be able to appropriately design empirical research and present it in a professional manner. In so doing, we will examine diverse methodological issues conducting empirical research such as theory building, measurement, research design, quantitative analysis, etc. In this part we will also discuss how to structure empirical research paper. The last three sessions of the semester will be devoted to the discussion of students’ research projects. Students are expected to present their progress in his/her 1
description
Research Methods Academic Syllabus
Transcript of Political Science Research Methods
GSIA218 Designing Social Inquiry
(3 Credits, Spring 2013)
GSIS, Sogang University
Instructor: Dr. Dongsoo Kim Section #: 01Email: [email protected] Class Time: T 14:00 – 16:45Phone: 02)901-2635 Class Location: J601Office: Korean Institute of National Unification (KINU), Main Building #309Office Hours: by appointmentClass Website: TBA
Course Description and Objective The objective of this course is to provide the students with a sound foundation for pursuing the study of international relations as an empirical enterprise. To achieve this objective, this course will offer an overview of some of the key epistemological and methodological issues that international relations researchers have to deal with. In other words, this course will introduce students to a variety of tools used to conduct empirical research in international relations. At the end of the semester, students will therefore be able to appropriately design empirical research and present it in a professional manner.
In so doing, we will examine diverse methodological issues conducting empirical research such as theory building, measurement, research design, quantitative analysis, etc. In this part we will also discuss how to structure empirical research paper. The last three sessions of the semester will be devoted to the discussion of students’ research projects. Students are expected to present their progress in his/her research project before submitting final paper. Class members will share their thoughts about others’ research project during these sessions.
Prerequisites and Background
While there is no prerequisite requirement, it should be noted that this course is especially designed for the students who plan to write master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation.
Textbook, References and Reading Assignment
Johnson, Janet Buttolph and H.T. Reynolds with Jason D. Mycoff (hereafter JRM). Political Science Research Methods, 6th ed. CQ Press: Washington D.C.
King, Gary, Robert O. Keohane, and Sidney, Verba (hereafter KKV). Designing Social Inquiry: Scientific Inference in Qualitative Research. Princeton University Press: Princeton, NJ.
Van Evera, Stephen. Guide to Methods for Students of Political Science. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.
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Additional readings will be available online (JSTOR).
Grading Policy and Evaluation
Students will be evaluated based on their performances in a mid-term exam and a potential final exam, a research paper/presentation, 2 assignments, and attendance/participation
Mid Term Exam 30 % Final Exam ? % Assignment 10 % Research Design Paper/Presentation 40 % Class Participation/Attendance 20 % 100%
ExamsIn-class mid-term exam will account for 30% of your final grade. There will be no make-up exams without legitimate reasons (e.g. family emergency, illness, etc) and appropriate documentation. Students who need to miss the exam must contact instructor prior to the scheduled exam period unless the situation precludes this. The detailed discussions of the exam will be made later as we move forward. Final exam will be administered based on the decisions of the students who wish to make up their participation/attendance grade.
Research Paper and PresentationsStudents are required to write research topic statement (2 pages, double spaced) and 12-15 pages, double spaced research design paper. While any topic in the area of international relations can be selected, it must be approved by the instructor. Students are required to present his/her research design to the class and be ready to discuss it during the class.
- Topic statement 20%- Presentation 20%- Final paper 60%
AssignmentsStudents are required to complete quantitative analysis report, utilizing a statistical analysis software such as SPSS, SAS, or STATA. More detailed discussion on the assignment will be made as we move forward in the semester.
Attendance and ParticipationStudents are expected to attend class regularly and actively participate in the class discussion. Students will be graded based on their class participation – engaging in discussion of the reading assignments and current events, asking questions, discussion leading, and so forth. Unexcused absence beyond the first one will decrease your participation grade by 10 pts. each. If unspecified, other general attendance policy will be based on the school policy such as:
- Unexcused absences beyond three times will result in Fail in this course.- Absences will be excused only for serious health problems or family emergencies
with appropriate documentations.- Three times of tardiness will be counted as one absence.
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Academic Honesty:
Students are expected to adhere to the University’s policies with regards to academic dishonesty. Cheating on any exam, quiz, or other assignment will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent under the University policies.
Class Schedule and Reading Assignments
Week 1 (Mar. 5) Introduction and Organization
Week 2 (Mar. 12) The Scientific Study of Social Sciences JRM, Chs. 1&2, pp. 1-49. KKV, Ch. 1, pp. 1-33.
Week 3 (Mar. 19) Theory Building: Hypotheses and Variables JRM, Ch. 3, pp. 60-87. KKV, Chs. 3&4, pp. 75-114. Van Evera, Ch. 1, pp. 7-48.
Week 4 (Mar. 26) Measurement and Operationalization JRM, Ch. 4, pp. 88-121. KKV, Ch. 5, pp. 150-207. Adcock, Robert, and David Collier. 2001. “Measurement Validity: A Shared Standard
for Qualitative and Quantitative Research.” American Political Science Review, 95(September), pp. 529-546.
Elkins, Zachary. 2000. “Gradations of Democracy? Empirical Tests of Alternative Conceptualizations.” American Journal of Political Science, 44(April), pp. 293-300.
* Research Topic Statement Due
Week 5 (Apr. 2) Research Design and Literature Review JRM, Ch. 5&6, pp. 122-208.
Week 6 (Apr. 9) Comparative Study and Case Study KKV, Ch. 6, pp. 208-238. Van Evera, Ch. 2, pp. 49-88. Lijphart, Arend. 1971. “Comparative Politics and Comparative Methods.” American
Political Science Review, 65(September), pp. 682-93
Week 7 (Apr. 16) The Structure of Research Paper Van Evera, Chs.3-6, pp. 89-128.
Week 8 (Apr. 23) Mid-term Exam
Week 9 (Apr. 30) Collecting Data: Sampling, Interviews, and Surveys JRM, Chs. 7-10, pp. 209-350.
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Week 10 (May 7) Large N Studies and Basic Data Analysis: Descriptive Analysis JRM, Ch. 11, pp. 351-425
Week 11 (May 14) Large N Studies and Basic Data Analysis: Regression Analysis JRM, Ch. 12&13, pp. 426-549
Week 12 (May 21) Review of Previous Studies Readings TBA
*Assignment: Statistical Analyses Due
Week 13 (May 28) Student Presentations
Week 14 (Jun. 4) Student Presentations
Week 15 (Jun. 11) Student Presentations
Week 16 (Jun. 18) Final Exam & Research Design Paper Due
Note: The course syllabus is a general plan for the course; deviations announced to the class by the instructor may be necessary.
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