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School of Law, Politics and Sociology

Research Methods and Approaches (828M9)

Research Methods and Approaches

Module 828M9

Module details for 2023/24.

15 credits

FHEQ Level 7 (Masters)

Module Outline

The module will cover the range of qualitative and quantitative methods in social science and will provide the skills to develop a research outline. It will equip students with the ability to come up with an interesting and workable research question and testable empirical hypotheses, an ability to select cases/sample and appropriate methods for analysis, a focus on how to find appropriate data sources and conduct data analysis (either quantitative or qualitative), and how to interpret the results in relation to the available literature.

Module learning outcomes

be able to critically apply key qualitative and quantitative research methods in social science.

have a critical understanding of the way in which research methods are used in existing social science research.

be able to critically appreciate the prospects and problems of qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches to a range of research questions in Comparative Governance and International Politics.

TypeTimingWeighting
Essay (2500 words)Semester 1 Assessment Week 2 Thu 16:00100.00%
Timing

Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.

Weighting

Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.

TermMethodDurationWeek pattern
Autumn SemesterSeminar2 hours11111000000
Autumn SemesterWorkshop2 hours00000011111

How to read the week pattern

The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.

Dr Hannah Richter

Assess convenor
/profiles/341320

Prof Dan Hough

Convenor, Assess convenor
/profiles/157318

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