Research Design and Methods

Aim

After completion of the course the student should be able to:

• recognize, understand and discuss contending positions on ontology and epistemology in the social sciences;
• display a deeper understanding of research traditions with relevance for the study of International and European relations;
• indentify and understand the various stages of the research process, in relation to actual examples of research in the relevant fields;
• design and present an outline of an independent scientific investigation.

Content

The central themes of the course are:

• an introduction to the philosophy of science;
• research traditions in the social sciences;
• the design of social and political research;
• conceptual, procedural and ethical considerations in research;
• advanced academic writing.