IR 229-02
Research Methods I

Pınar Bilgin
Department of International Relations

Aims

This course is designed to introduce students of International Relations to the basics of social research. Specifically, the course aims to generate familiarity with the language of social research, the uses of theory and meanings of methodology in the social sciences, ethical and political issues involved in the research process, and the basics of quantitative and qualitative research methods. Since this is a course on research methods designed for students of International Relations, discussions will focus on IR literature.

Objectives

The general objectives of this course include the development of students' oral, written and research skills. At the end of this course, you should be able to

• demonstrate familiarity with the language and various methods employed in social research;
• discuss the uses of these methods by students of International Relations;
• identify and discuss the methodological dimensions of a given research product;
• conduct a literature review on a given research topic.

Assessment

You will be assessed in two ways:

As part of the course, each student is expected to submit two separate pieces of written work, which will count towards 60% of your overall mark (30% each). The first assignment (due October 23, 2000) will be a 800 word essay designed to develop students' ability to identify and discuss the basic argume nt, structure and methodology of a given research project. The second assignment (due December 4, 2000) will be a 1000-1200 word essay designed to develop the student\rquote s ability to conduct a literature survey on a given research topic (see below for further information).

The final examination will count towards 40% of your overall mark. This exam will be designed to assess students' familiarity with the language and basic concepts of social research as well as their ability to write in-depth about the uses of various research methods in International Relations.

Course Outline

Week 1

Why Learn About Research Methods?

Week 2

Contending Approaches and Methodological Debates in International Relations

Michael Nicholson, 'The Methodology of International Relations,' International Relations: British and American Perspectives, Steve Smith, ed. (Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1985) 56-70.

Week 3

Language of Social Research

W. Lawrence Neuman, Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, 4th ed. (Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2000) Chapter 2: 'Dimensions of Research,' 20-38.

Week 4

Uses of Theory in Social Research

W. Lawrence Neuman, Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, 4th ed. (Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2000) Chapter 3: 'Theory and Research,' 39-62.

Week 5

Meanings of Methodology in Social Research

W. Lawrence Neuman, Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, 4th ed. (Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2000) Chapter 4: 'The Meanings of Methodology,' 63-88.

Week 6

Ethical and Political Issues

W. Lawrence Neuman, Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, 4th ed. (Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2000) Chapter 5: 'The Ethics and Politics of Social Research,' 89-120.

Week 7

Basics of Quantitative Research

W. Lawrence Neuman, Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, 4th ed. (Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2000) Chapter 6: 'Qualitative and Quantitative Research Designs,' 121-155.

Week 8

Basics of Qualitative Research

W. Lawrence Neuman, Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, 4th ed. (Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2000) Chapter 6: 'Qualitative and Quantitative Research Designs,' 121-155.

Week 9

Contending Approaches and Methodologies in International Relations

reading list to be supplied later

Week 10

Designing a Research Project: The Literature Review

W. Lawrence Neuman, Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches , 4th ed. (Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2000) Chapter 16: 'Reviewing the Literature and Writing a Report,' 444-480.

Gregory M Scott & Stephen M Garrison, The Political Science Student Writer's Manual, 3rd ed. (New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2000) Chapter 10: 'Traditional Research Papers and Literature Reviews,' 205-214.
 
 

Week 11

Designing a Research Project: The Writing Process I

Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb & Joseph M Williams, The Craft of Research (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1995) Chapter 7: 'Making Good Arguments,' and Chapter 8: 'Claims and Evidence,' 88-106.

W. Lawrence Neuman, Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, 4th ed. (Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2000) Chapter 16:' Reviewing the Literature and Writing a Report,' 444-480.
 
 

Week 12

Designing a Research Project: The Writing Process II

Gregory M Scott & Stephen M Garrison, The Political Science Student Writer's Manual, 3rd ed. (New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2000) Chapter 2: 'Writing Competently,' 49-71.

Kate L Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 5th ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1987).

Written Assignments

As noted above, you are expected to submit two separate pieces of written work, which will count towards 60% of your overall mark. Each essay will count towards 30% of your assessment. Late submission of essays will be penalised.

Assignment 1 (due October 23, 2000) will be a 800 word essay designed to develop students' ability to identify and discuss the basic argument, structure and methodology of a given research project. This assignment will be in the format of an article review. An article review is very similar to a book review in that it evaluates an article published in an academic journal. A good article review should tell the reader what the main argument of the article is, how the argument is developed in the article, and how convincingly this argum e nt is made. A good article review should be a mixture of summary and critique. By presenting a summary of the assigned piece you will show whether you have understood the main argument of the article well. By identifying the structure and methodological dimensions of the article, you will show whether you are familiar with the basics of social research. By presenting a critique of the article, you will have the opportunity to develop your critical thinking skills and discuss what you think about the main argument and organisation of the article.

In academic terms 'critical reading' and 'critical assessment' refer to a considered and justified examination of what the author has written about the subject in question. Reading and writing critically are diffic ult skills to learn. They are also skills you will use throughout your study. Please keep in mind that being 'critical' does not mean 'rubbishing' or rejecting someone else's argument. As a student of International Relations, you should be able to understa nd and respect alternative points of view. You should also be able to show an awareness of alternative approaches when presenting your own. The following is a useful guideline as to what constitutes 'critical reading':

A critical reading

• goes beyond mere summary by offering opinions, and presenting a personal response to what has been written;
• does not take what is written at face value;
• tries to be explicit about the theories which inform and colour reading and writing;
• respects alternative points of view;
• shows an awareness of the ethical/political issues involved in research.

Consider the questions below:

• What is the problem or issue addressed?
• What is the main argument of the article?
• How does the author develop his/her argument?
• What are the major stages in the work?
• What methods did the author use to investigate the topic?
• What evidence did the author present in support of his/her argument?
• What do I think the article's strong points are?
• What do I think the article's weak points are?

When writing your literature review, consider the questions below:

• What is the problem/issue addressed?
• What are the different arguments generated in discussing this problem/issue?
• What research methods have been used in these studies?
• What are the apparent methodological weaknesses and strengths of these studies?
• What remains to be discovered about this problem/issue?

When preparing your assignments,

please be careful not to copy out great chunks from the a ssigned text or other articles/books. This is at best weak and at worst plagiarism. Plagiarism consists of any form of passing off, or attempting to pass off, the knowledge or work of other people as one\rquote s own. It is a form of cheating and is considered an academic offence. The following are simple guidelines to help you avoid such problems:

• Surround all direct quotations with inverted commas and cite the precise source (including page numbers) in a footnote.
• Use quotations sparingly and make sure that the bulk of the essay is in your own words.
• Remember that it is 'what you say' that gives an essay merit.
• Make sure you give references to your source(s) throughout the text, not just when you give direct quotations but also when you paraphrase or give your version. 

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• Each essay should be typed.
• State the number of words used at the end. The word limit is there to make you decide what is or is not important to say. The ability to say what you want in a limited number of words is also a skill you need to gain. Essays that are over length will be penalised.
• Appropriate footnotes should be supplied.
• Do not use single-spacing and leave a sufficient margin for comments.
• Pay attention to how you write the essay (your style) as well as its content. It is important to develop your 'writing skills' as a student of International Relations.