Research Methods

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

The seminar alternates between sessions dedicated to the discussion of the recommended bibliography and sessions where different parts of the students’ thesis’s proposals will be discussed in light of the methodological discussions. The individual learning processes of the students are therefore central to the methodology of this seminar, as well as interactive sessions for discussion and debate of research work with the other students.

Learning Outcomes

The seminar provides a space for students to discuss and learn different ways of methodological organization of their research proposal, including the analysis of the most relevant theoretical frameworks, conceptual proposals as well as research methods and techniques regarding the theme they intend to research. After successful completion of the seminar, students should be able to discuss, select and apply different methodological approaches to their research.  

 

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

The seminar is based on the discussion of literature that uses different research methods in social sciences, particularly applied to international relations and peace studies. The discussion will be anchored in the project proposals of the students. The structure of the course includes: a discussion of the students’ research proposals; literature review and theoretical and conceptual frameworks of analysis and variables; discussion of quantitative and qualitative methods; case studies, comparative approaches and ethnographic approaches; interviews, samples, questionnaires and document analysis; discussion of the theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches developed by the students.  

Head Lecturer(s)

Paula Duarte Lopes

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Research work: 40.0%
Other: 60.0%

Bibliography

BOOTH, Wayne C. ; COLOMB, Gregory G. ; WILLIAMS, Joseph M. - The craft of research. 3rd ed.. Chicago : University of Chicago Press, 2008.
THEORY and evidence in comparative politics and international relations. Ed. Richard Ned Lebow and Mark Irving Lichbach. New York : Palgrave Macmillan, 2007.
GEORGE, Alexander L. ; BENNETT, Andrew - Case studies and theory development in the social sciences. Cambridge, Mass. : MIT Press, 2005. [BP 303 GEO]
DRUCKMAN, Daniel - Doing research: methods of inquiry for conflict analysis. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, 2005. [BP 303 GEO]
ELMAN, Colin - Explanatory typologies in qualitative studies of international politics [Em linha]. International Organization. Vol. 59, nº 2 (Spring 2005), p. 293-326. [acesso via b-on]
MILLIKEN, Jennifer - The Study of discourse in international relations: a critique of research and methods [Em linha]. European Journal of International Relations. Vol. 5, nº2 (Jun. 1999), p. 225-254. [acesso via b-on].