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Магистратура 2020/2021

Научно-исследовательский семинар

Статус: Курс обязательный (Российские исследования/Russian Studies)
Направление: 41.04.04. Политология
Когда читается: 1-й курс, 1-4 модуль
Формат изучения: без онлайн-курса
Охват аудитории: для своего кампуса
Прогр. обучения: Российские исследования
Язык: английский
Кредиты: 6
Контактные часы: 56

Course Syllabus

Abstract

1. Course Description a) Pre-requisites No specific pre-requisites are needed. It is expected that students have an idea of the minimal academic writing standards and have conducted research project/projects in some of the social sciences area (theoretical or empirical one). b) Abstract Research Seminar is intended to accompany students during their dissertation project (1st year). Assignments are designed to complement thesis or any other relevant research project, so the results of the work during Research Seminar might be used in a most practical way. Research Seminar will not focus on any field of political science particularly due to the possible differences in the students' topics and their interests, in that way Research Seminar should help students to get acquainted with main methodological approaches in political science (briefly), broad concepts concerning variety of methods and instruments, used in the research and practice thesis presentations.
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

  • to help students with the preparation of their dissertation (1st year);
  • to give the methodological basis so the students themselves are able to elaborate their own research design with appropriate research problem, hypothesis and methods
  • to discuss problems researchers come across while using conventional methods and methodological approaches in political science research
Expected Learning Outcomes

Expected Learning Outcomes

  • Research, writing and presentation competencies
  • Ability to complete scientific text
  • A student knows the syllabus of the course
  • A student is able to choose a research problem and evaluate research trustworthiness
  • knows, how to use case study method, its advantages and drawbacks.
  • knows, how to use QCA in political research
  • knows different types of QCA that can be performed in the research design
  • understands logic of randomized experimentation for studying causal effects of interventions in comparison to other approaches
  • knows, how to construct research design in socio-political research
Course Contents

Course Contents

  • Tradeoffs in Research Design
    What are the basic ontological trade-offs in social and political research? How to approach micro, meso and macro levels in social sciences domain? Between clouds and clocks: where we may find the essence of the socio-political processes? Different types of the research design: how to control for validity and reliability of the research? Positivism, constructivism and realism as broad methodological traditions in social sciences. Various methodological approaches in political science: Della Porta, Marsh and Stokes, etc.
  • Overview of the Quantitative and Qualitative Methods: First Grasp and First Impression
    The goal of this section is to get students acquainted with basic methods, corresponding to quantitative and qualitative methodology. How are they different and in what way? How to determine what methods are best suited for the particular research? Random and purposeful sample: pros and cons. Validity and reliability in Quantitative and Qualitative methods. Strategies to determine coherence between research question, methodology and methods.
  • Historical Narratives and Legacies in Political Science
    With many respects to historical approaches we tend to use it all the time in our causal inferences to explain long-lasting outcomes. Nevertheless, despite its undoubtable success and popularity there are lots of things we should take into account before making such methodological choice. Historical legacies in explaining political process. Casing, causal inference, contesting theories.
  • What is the Contextual Analysis and Why is it Needed?
    Practically every political and social research includes contextual analysis. It cannot be avoided due to the fabric of the research objects in social sciences. “Plastic matters”, according to Popper, should be indivisible from its context. What does that mean and what categories can be included in one’s research design as a context?
  • Case Study Research: Case-selection and Types of Case-study
    The case study method, its advantages and drawbacks. The strategies of case selection and its connection to research design. Case-study and cross-case study: differences and the scope for research. Various types of case-study (e.g., intrinsic or instrumental). Planning Case Study based research design: research situations, for which case study is suitable and reliable.
  • QCA: Why is it Called Qualitative and How It Should Be Applied in Practice?
    QCA stands for Qualitative Comparative Analysis. It is designed for mediumsample research. QCA uses different principles of coding of the dependent and independent variable. With that respect there are several types of QCA that can be performed in the research design. QCA: brief overview, basic software to perform analysis and the logic of the approach, its pros and cons.
  • Experiments in Political Science
    The logic of randomized experimentation for studying causal effects of interventions in comparison to other approaches. The strengths, weaknesses, and ethics of experiments as a research design and evaluation method. The use and utility of experimental methods in real-world cases. The logic of experimental methods to political science research questions. Examples of experiment-based research design in political science.
  • Research Design: The Main Elements of RD and Different Stratigies behind RD
    This section is designed to work with students' dessertation topics. The goal is to eliminate any drawbacks of the research design and prepare for the topic presentations. Consistency between approach, methodology and methods. How tpo keep balamce between internal and external validity of the research. How to build solid theory and what is the role of the theory in different RDs? Presenting and writing results: proposed explanations and further discussion.
Assessment Elements

Assessment Elements

  • non-blocking Engagement in class discussions
  • non-blocking Reaction paper
  • non-blocking Quizzes
  • non-blocking Presentation 1
  • non-blocking Presentation 2
Interim Assessment

Interim Assessment

  • Interim assessment (4 module)
    0.2 * Engagement in class discussions + 0.15 * Presentation 1 + 0.3 * Presentation 2 + 0.2 * Quizzes + 0.15 * Reaction paper
Bibliography

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

  • Abbott, M., & McKinney, J. (2013). Understanding and Applying Research Design. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=531530
  • Comparative-historical methods, Lange, M., 2013
  • Configurational comparative methods : qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) and related techniques, , 2009
  • Field experiments : design, analysis, and interpretation, Gerber, A. S., 2012
  • Gerring, J. (2007). Case Study Research : Principles and Practices. New York: Cambridge University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=185849
  • King, G., Keohane, R. O., & Verba, S. (1995). The Importance of Research Design in Political Science. American Political Science Review, (02), 475. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsrep&AN=edsrep.a.cup.apsrev.v89y1995i02p475.481.09
  • Little, Todd D. (ed.) (2013). The Oxford Handbook of Quantitative Methods. Volume 2: Statistical Analysis, Oxford University Press. http://www.oxfordhandbooks.com/view/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199934898.001.0001/oxfordhb-9780199934898
  • Lucas Watson. (2018). Qualitative Research Design: An Interactive Approach. [N.p.]: White Press Academics. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=2267926
  • Research design : qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches, Creswell, J. W., 2014
  • Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches, Creswell, J.W., 2009
  • Teaching Quantitative Methods : Getting the Basics Right Payne, Geoff; Williams, Malcolm SAGE Publications 2011
  • Thyer, B. A. (2012). Quasi-Experimental Research Designs. New York: Oxford University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=422245
  • Woodside, A. G. (2010). Case Study Research : Theory, Methods and Practice (Vol. 1st ed). Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=329086
  • Yin, R. K. . (DE-588)136005616, (DE-576)163641544. (2014). Case study research : design and methods / Robert K. Yin. Los Angeles, Calif. [u.a.]: Sage. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.380931494

Recommended Additional Bibliography

  • Behavioral game theory : experiments in strategic interaction, Camerer, C. F., 2003
  • Creswell, J. W. . (DE-588)133331512, (DE-576)164944168. (1994). Research design : qualitative and quantitative approaches / John W. Creswell. Thousand Oaks, Calif. [u.a.]: Sage. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.040749258
  • Demintseva, E., & Kashnitsky, D. (2016). Contextualizing Migrants’ Strategies of Seeking Medical Care in Russia*. International Migration, 54(5), 29–42. https://doi.org/10.1111/imig.12247
  • Lipman, M., & Miller, A. I. (2012). The Convolutions of Historical Politics. New York: Central European University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=481164
  • National identification and anti-immigrant prejudice: Individual and contextual effects of national definitions. (2009). Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.121D340
  • Qualitative inquiry & research design : choosing among five approaches, Creswell, J. W., 2013
  • The art of case study research, Stake, R. E., 1995