POL SCI 796 / Research Design and Methods

3 unit(s)

K. Bird

This seminar introduces graduate students to basic issues in epistemology, research design and methodological choices we face in political science. The main objective is to heighten attention to the need for methodological rigour, and for reflection about the kinds of choices involved in doing research. More specifically, the course asks students to reflect on what goes into a successful dissertation length study, and to begin working on the design of own future research projects. It also allows students gain to some familiarity with various qualitative methods that you might apply in carrying out that research.