PECOS4021 - Research Methods
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
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Course content
This course presents and discusses methodological issues and techniques that are central to empirical research in the social sciences in general, and the study of peace and conflict in particular. The course introduces students to general principles of research methodology and design. Furthermore, different data collection methods and different techniques for analyzing data are presented and discussed.
A central aim of the course is to provide students with the tools to critically evaluate empirical research and carefully construct their own research designs. Thus, the course focuses on challenges posed to the drawing of valid inferences on the basis of theory and empirical data. Important strategies for mitigating these challenges are discussed.
The course furthermore accounts for case study and small-n comparative designs, and how case studies may be used in mixed designs in conjunction with statistical analysis. The course also elaborates on the use of process tracing and pattern matching to study causal relations and relates these concepts to the study of temporal processes in history. Regarding strategies for data collection, the course presents and discusses among others survey methodology, in-depth interviews, field work and the use of secondary sources in empirical research.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
Students will:
- know the most important types of research design, and understand their relative strengths and weaknesses in different contexts;
- be well acquainted with some of the most important threats to descriptive and causal inferences, and with strategies for mitigating such threats;
- understand how social science concepts are structured, and know some the most important challenges related to constructing coherent and fruitful concepts;
- understand the challenges related to measuring complex concepts, and be aware of different types of measurement errors;
- know the method of “process tracing” and how it may be used in case study research;
- know different comparative designs, and understand their strengths and weaknesses;
- know how different types of interviews and surveys are conducted, and understand their strengths and weaknesses.
- understand how to properly use secondary sources in research, and know how to make use of archive material.
- know how to structure and conduct research using mixed research designs.
Skills
Students will:
- be able to critically read and evaluate empirical studies on peace and conflict topics;
- be able to construct designs for answering research questions on peace and conflict topics;
- be able to apply various techniques for analyzing different types of data, and learn how to properly test hypotheses, interpret results, and draw careful conclusions;
Competences:
Students will:
- acquire the capacity to conduct thorough and critical research by making reflected methodological choices;
- acquire competencies in evaluating empirical research;
- acquire understanding of various elements of the scientific process, including aspects of the relation between theory and empirical evidence and between concepts and measures.
Admission
Students admitted to other Master programmes may be qualified to apply for the course. Please see the webpage on Admission to single master's courses.
For incoming students:
All Master's courses in Political Science must be registered manually by the Department, they will not appear in Studentweb. Contact your international coordinator at UiO.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Bachelor degree in Arts or Social Science.
Recommended previous knowledge
Knowledge of research methods.
Teaching
Lectures.
The lectures are not compulsory but we advise you to follow them.
Access to teaching
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
4 hour written exam. Two term paper assignments.
The exam will consist of a written, invigilated exam of 4 hours’ duration and two term paper assignments. The grade for the exam will count for 60% of the total grade. The grade for the two term papers will count for 40% (i.e. 20% each) of the total course grade.
In order to receive a pass grade for your term paper assignment, the term paper must be of 2500-3000 words lenght (including footnotes/endnotes, references) and address an issue that is relevant to the course. The term paper must conform to normal academic standards.
In order to pass the course, you have to have a pass grade both for the exam and the two term papers, and your exam and your term paper assignment must be passed in the same semester as the course is taught. You will receive one overall grade for the course.
Term paper 1 reflects topics presented in lectures 1-6. Students will be asked to address questions related to research design, conceptualization and measurement, or descriptive or causal inferences from one (or two) of a specified set of empirical articles.
Term paper 2 reflects topics presented in lectures 7-10. Students will be asked to either address methodological issues related to data collection or analysis of data in one or two specified articles (as in term paper 1) or discuss relevant methodological challenges in an intended research project, preferably the forthcoming master thesis.
Guidelines for home assignments - Technical standards, deadlines etc.
Examination support material
Students may use dictionaries at this exam. Dictionaries must be handed in before the examination. Please read regulations for dictionaries permitted at the examination.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
- Explanation of grades - deadline and processing time
- Appeal about grades
- Complaint about formal exam errors
Resit an examination
Withdrawal from an examination
If you wish to withdraw from the exam you must do so in StudentWeb at least two weeks prior to the deadline. Failure to do so will be counted as one of the three opportunities to sit the exam.
Special examination arrangements
If you have a disability or a health problem that entails significant inconvenience in an examination situation, you may be considered for special examination arrangements. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.