COURSE INFORMATION
Course Title: RESEARCH METHODS IN SOCIAL SCIENCES
Code Course Type Regular Semester Theory Practice Lab Credits ECTS
PIR 501 B 3 3 0 0 3 6
Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) NA
Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: Teoman Duman , Mondays 13:30-16:30 hours
Second Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: NA
Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours: NA
Language: English
Compulsory/Elective: Compulsory
Classroom and Meeting Time: E 311
Course Description: This master level course will be divided into two parts. One is ‘Study Skill’ and the other is ‘research methods’. We thought that it is important for students who would like to write an academic paper in English (rather than their mother tongue language) to gain considerable amount of knowledge about study skills. This course seeks to ensure that all students become able to use appropriate research methods on their studies. Further, the course will provide key research methods as well as studies skill tools as preparing bibliography, citation, quotation. In addition, the students’ attention will be drawn into ethical and legal issues to dissertation writing skills which are one of the important areas of academic studies. The course will inform the students to navigate the information resources in their studies which guide them how to use of library, databases and archives, the WWW, and electronically available sources. Consequently, the course will equip the students with what they need while they are conducting academic research and producing an academic essay, report, paper and book.
Course Objectives: At the end of the semester, students will be able to read and analyze published research studies in business, prepare written proposals for their research topics, and devise and conduct research studies for their theses and projects.
COURSE OUTLINE
Week Topics
1 The nature of business and management research
2 Formulating and clarifying the research topic
3 Critically reviewing the literature
4 Understanding research philosophies and approaches
5 Formulating the research design
6 Negotiating access and research ethics
7 Selecting samples
8 Midterm exam
9 Using secondary data
10 Collecting primary data through observation
11 Collecting primary data using semi-structured, in-depth and group interviews; Collecting primary data using questionnaires
12 Analyzing quantitative data; Analyzing qualitative data
13 Writing and presenting research report
14 Research proposal presentations
Prerequisite(s): Academic Integrity Students are expected to abide by Epoka University rules, regulations and codes of academic integrity as identified by the university administration. Students are responsible from their academic work with respect to legal and ethical consequences. For more information regarding academic publications, you can get assistance from the university offices. Students who will not abide by the rules and regulations will be punished by the university committees according to the university disciplinary code. Services to Students with Disabilities Students with certain disabilities are welcome to present their individual requirements and requests to me so I can accommodate their needs towards the class. Epoka University is an equal opportunity employer and an educational institution. Therefore, students with disabilities will get the best service according to their needs. Inclusivity Statement We have a student body in our university who come from many different backgrounds. Therefore, we request from our students to follow below simple guidelines to have the best experience from the courses; Be ready to respect and share values and experiences of others.  Try to understand the unique contribution others can make to your learning experience.  Behave well to others during communication and listen well to communicate effectively.
Textbook: Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill (2009). Research Methods for Business Students. 5th Ed. Prentice Hall, New York, USA.
Other References: Adams, J., Khan, H. T. A., Raeside, R. and White, D. (2007). Research Methods for Graduate Business and Social Science Students. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA.
Laboratory Work: PC Lab: during Chapter 11 and 12
Computer Usage: yes
Others: No
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
1 Comprehend scientific research methodology concepts for business research
2 Prepare a research proposal for a business research problem
3 Read and critically discuss research papers in business
COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES
(Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution)
No Program Competencies Cont.
Master of Science in Political Science and International Relations (Old) Program
1 Having and using advanced knowledge and comprehension supported by textbooks including actual knowledge in political sciences and international relations literature, materials and the other scientific resources. 5
2 Analyzing data, ideas and concepts of current political issues and international relations, determining complex events and topics, making discussions and developing new suggestions in accordance with researches. 5
3 Having knowledge and thought about actual topics and problems together with their historical, social and cultural aspects. 5
4 Introducing those who are interested in politics and international events with the topics of Political Science and IR and teaching clearly the problems and the types of solutions. 5
5 Improving skills of working together with the main social science disciplines and other disciplines which are related to Political Science and International Relations. 5
6 Improving critical thinking and skills in making research independently. 5
7 Developing solutions about the problems and conflicts which are common in national and international arena. 5
8 Improving skills for leadership and research and analyze capacity of those who is responsible with national and international ones. 5
9 Knowing any foreign language enough to communicate with colleagues and understand actual researches and articles. 5
10 Gaining IT skills to use computer and technology) in order to reach actual knowledge. 3
11 Gaining skills to follow societal, scientific and ethic values during collecting, interpreting, conducting of data related to social and political developments. 3
12 Having consciousness about human rights and environment. 5
13 Gaining the skills to follow actual developments and pursue long-life learning. 5
COURSE EVALUATION METHOD
Method Quantity Percentage
Homework
1
15
Midterm Exam(s)
1
20
Presentation
1
10
Term Paper
1
20
Final Exam
1
30
Attendance
5
Total Percent: 100%
ECTS (ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD)
Activities Quantity Duration(Hours) Total Workload(Hours)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours) 16 3 48
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice) 16 2 32
Mid-terms 1 15 15
Assignments 2 15 30
Final examination 1 25 25
Other 0
Total Work Load:
150
Total Work Load/25(h):
6
ECTS Credit of the Course:
6