COURSE INFORMATION Course Title: RESEARCH METHODS IN SOCIAL SCIENCE

Code	Course Type	Regular Semester	Theory	Practice	Lab	Credits	ECTS
PIR 801	B	2	3	0	0	3	10

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:	Islam Jusufi , Weekday mornings
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:	Elective
Classroom and Meeting Time:	E-building
Course Description:	This 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:	This course explores the research methods in social sciences, with particular emphasis on political science and international relations. It considers a broad array of methodologies, from qualitative to quantitative methodologies to case studies. The focus is on methodology design, data collection, analysis and writing. The course aims to teach students to learn how to use the quantitative and qualitative methods for investigating political science and international relations topics. It aims to have students learn how to design a methodology, collect and analyse data and write the research. As a final result, the course seeks to ensure that all students become able to use methods on their chosen specific field.

COURSE OUTLINE

Week	Topics
1	a. Course introduction, overview of texts, and expectations; b. Methodologies. Must readings: Neuman: pages: 68-92.
2	Writing a research proposal and a research paper.
3	General Research design and Ethics. Must readings: Burnham: pages: 38-68; 282-298.
4	Literature review and Qualitative and Quantitative research designs. Must readings: Neuman: pages: 95-116; 137-166. Optional readings: Burnham: pages: 187-212.
5	Field research, Elite interviewing. Must readings: Neuman: pages: 363-398. Burnham: pages: 231-247.
6	Historical-Comparative research and Case study methodology. Must readings: Neuman: pages: 402-434. Yin: pages: 1-33. Optional readings: Burnham: pages: 69-95.
7	Survey research and Focus groups. Must readings: Neuman: pages: 263-303. Optional readings: Burnham: pages: 96-137.
8	Mid-Term exam
9	Nonreactive research, Secondary analysis, Discourse analysis. Must readings: Neuman: pages: 308-329. Burnham: pages: 248-281.
10	Qualitative and Quantitative measurement. Must readings: Neuman: pages: 169-207.
11	Qualitative and Quantitative sampling. Must readings: Neuman: pages: 210-235.
12	Experimental research. Must readings: Neuman: pages: 237-260.
13	Project cycle management. Must readings: European Commission: pages: 16-53.
14	Concluding the research, Research and Policy Process. Must readings: Neuman: pages: 468-479. Burnham: pages: 305-324.

Prerequisite(s):	Class attendance and participation; timely delivery of the assignments.
Textbook:	Must readings: Burnham, P. 2008. Research methods in politics. Palgrave Macmillan: New York. (Available in the Library of the Epoka University). European Commission. 2004. Project Cycle Management Guidelines. Brussels. (Available online). Neuman, W. L. 2003. Social research methods: qualitative and quantitative approaches. Allyn and Bacon: Boston. (Available in the Library of the Epoka University). Yin, R. 2002. Case Study Research: Design and Methods. Sage Publications: Thousand Oaks, CA. (Available online)
Other References:	Optional readings: Marsh, D., and Stoker, G. 2002. Theory and methods in political science. Palgrave Macmillan: New York. (Available in the Library of the Epoka University).
Laboratory Work:
Computer Usage:
Others:	No

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

1	To demonstrate knowledge of major research methods in social sciences, including political science and international relations.
2	To demonstrate ability to use these methods in particular cases.
3	To demonstrate ability to select a topic for research and apply research method.
4	To demonstrate skills evaluating and providing critiques to selected methods.

COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES (Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution)

No	Program Competencies	Cont.
Doctorate (PhD) in Political Science and International Relations 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.	4
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.	3
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.	3
9	Knowing any foreign language enough to communicate with colleagues and understand actual researches and articles.	4
10	Gaining IT skills to use computer and technology) in order to reach actual knowledge.	1
11	Gaining skills to follow societal, scientific and ethic values during collecting, interpreting, conducting of data related to social and political developments.	5
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	10
Midterm Exam(s)	1	20
Presentation	1	10
Project	1	10
Case Study	1	10
Final Exam	1	30
Attendance		10
	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	4	64
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice)	32	2	64
Mid-terms	26	1	26
Assignments	26	1	26
Final examination	40	1	40
Other	30	1	30
Total Work Load:			250
Total Work Load/25(h):			10
ECTS Credit of the Course:			10