Political Science Research Methods

Metode politološkega raziskovanja

Course credits:

10.00 ECTS / 60 (30 hours of lectures, 0 hours of exercises, 30 hours of seminars, 0 hours other forms of work)

Course holder:

prof. dr. Žiga Vodovnik

Lecturers:

• Prof. Cirila Toplak

Type:

Required

Language:

English

Semester:

Second semester

Study degree

2. level

Course execution:

• Postgraduate Programme of Political Science – Political Theory, Global and Strategic Studies

Short content

This course introduces students to the basic and advance research methods and techniques used for research in the study of politics. The course is divided in two thematic units. The first part introduces and critically examines various approaches and theoretical-methodological paradigms in political science (e.g. behaviorism, institutionalism, feminism, interpretative theory, Marxism, rational choice theory, normative theory, discourse theory etc.). In the last part, the course focuses on practical application of methods and approaches needed for the Master Thesis disposition and similar research papers. During seminars students will broaden their epistemological and methodological knowledge, that is much needed for independent problem solving at different stages of analysis and writing of scholarly papers: from problem definition, formulating research question/hypothesis, data gathering and analyzing, interpretation of results and recommendations.