This information is for the 2020/21 session.
Teacher responsible
Prof Edward Page
Availability
This course is available on the BSc in Government, BSc in Government and Economics, BSc in Government and History, BSc in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, BSc in Politics, BSc in Politics and Economics, BSc in Politics and History, BSc in Politics and International Relations and BSc in Politics and Philosophy. This course is not available as an outside option nor to General Course students.
This course is capped at one group.
Course content
The course introduces a variety of techniques and issues in the empirical study of political science and applies them to a practical research project in which students participate throughout the year. No prior knowledge of statistics or research methods is required. The focus of the course will be the practical research project. At the theoretical level the course will cover questions relating to the utilization of policy research, forms of research design, sampling, questionnaire construction, coding and converting non-quantitative to quantitative indicators, response rates, elite interviewing and research ethics. As the practical research project progresses classes will cover the development of practical skills such as, principles of research report writing and, where appropriate for the project, use of text processing programmes, and basic routines in the widely-used Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), such as those used for compiling crosstabulations.
Teaching
20 hours of seminars and 2 hours of workshops in the MT. 20 hours of seminars and 2 hours of workshops in the LT. 2 hours of seminars in the ST.
The two workshops will take place in the reading weeks (week 6 of MT and LT) and will consist of additional teaching activities to extend students' familiarity with the course content, at which attendance will be voluntary.
Formative coursework
Students will be expected to produce 1 essay in the MT.
Indicative reading
Sandra Halperin and Oliver Heath, Political Research. Methods and Political Skills (2012); Floyd J. Fowler Survey Research Methods, 5th edn (2013); Alan Buckingham and Peter Saunders, The Survey Methods Workbook (2004); Tim May, Social Research: Issues, Methods and Process, 3rd edn, (2001); Claus Moser and Graham Kalton, Survey Methods in Social Investigation, 2nd edn, (1985); Melanie Mauthner et al (eds), Ethics in Qualitative Research, (2002).
Assessment
Exam (50%, duration: 2 hours) in the summer exam period.
Essay (25%, 2500 words) and research project (25%).
Key facts
Department: Government
Total students 2019/20: 12
Average class size 2019/20: 12
Capped 2019/20: Yes (15)
Value: One Unit
Personal development skills
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.
Student performance results
(2017/18 - 2019/20 combined)
| Classification | % of students |
|---|---|
| First | 55.9 |
| 2:1 | 44.1 |
| 2:2 | 0 |
| Third | 0 |
| Fail | 0 |