Course: Research Methodology in Political Science

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Course title Research Methodology in Political Science
Course code KAP/1RM
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Seminary
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 6
Language of instruction English
Status of course unspecified
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Ekstein Tomasz, prof. Ing. Ph.D.
Course content
1. Introduction to theory of science - what is the meaning of science, social science and theory; the role of theory in international relations and political science research, how and why should we test theories 2. Basic terms of international relations and political science research - academic work, concept, method, methodology , paradigm 3. Phases of research, research problem, formulating research questions and constructing hypotheses 4. Conceptualization and operationalization of variables, variable types 5. How to construct and interpret data 6. Techniques of data construction - document analysis (analysis of official statistics, using databases and registers, data journalism, analysis of social networks and blogs), oral histories, surveys, interviews, observation (participant, non/semi-participant), experiment (limits of experimental method in political science and international relations), secondary analysis of data 7. Qualitative methodologies in political science and international relations, analyzing qualitative data 8. Quantitative methodologies in political science and international relations, analyzing quantitative data 9. How to write a thesis - formal requirements, structure, the process of writing, ethics

Learning activities and teaching methods
  • Contact hours - 52 hours per semester
  • Presentation preparation (report) (1-10) - 10 hours per semester
  • Preparation for an examination (30-60) - 54 hours per semester
  • Graduate study programme term essay (40-50) - 40 hours per semester
prerequisite
Knowledge
to characterise the basic methodological approaches of political science
to describe and explain the basics of academic work in the social sciences
to distinguish basic theoretical approaches in political science
Skills
to actively use foreign databases of academic journals
to apply the basic principles of scientific work such as working with sources or citations in their own texts
to search for and critically evaluate academic sources on the topic
Competences
N/A
N/A
learning outcomes
Knowledge
to describe individual qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and processing
to distinguish between different types of research designs used in political science and international relations
to explain the methodology of social sciences with emphasis on the methodology of political science and international relations
Skills
to identify the methods that are most appropriate for solving a particular research problem
on the basis of our own research to create a academic text that meets all the essential formalities
to independently design a research design suitable for solving a certain research task
to independently argue and present research results
to collect data needed for specific research in the field of political science or international relations
to sort and process data, further analyse and interpret them in solving a research problem
Competences
N/A
N/A
teaching methods
Knowledge
Lecture with visual aids
Self-study of literature
Skills
Discussion
Students' portfolio
Individual study
Seminar
Competences
Lecture with visual aids
Discussion
assessment methods
Knowledge
Combined exam
Skills
Individual presentation at a seminar
Seminar work
Group presentation at a seminar
Competences
Combined exam
Seminar work
Recommended literature
  • Beneš, Vít,; Drulák, Petr. Metodologie výzkumu politiky. Vydání první. 2019. ISBN 978-80-7419-283-8.
  • Collier, D. - Gerring, J. (eds.). Concepts and Method in Social Science. The Tradition of Giovanni Sartori. New York: Routledge, 2009.
  • Čermák, Ivo - Řiháček, Tomáš - Hytych, Roman. Kvalitativní analýza textů: čtyři přístupy. 2013.
  • Drulák, P. - Druláková, R. Tvorba a analýza zahraniční politiky.. VŠE, Praha,, 2000.
  • Hendl, J. Kvalitativní výzkum: Základní teorie, metody a aplikace. Praha: Portál, 2008.
  • Hendl, J. Přehled statistických metod: analýza a mataanalýza dat. Praha, 2009. ISBN 978-80-7367-482-3.
  • Johnson, Janet Buttolph; Reynolds, Henry T. Political science research methods. 7nd ed. Los Angeles : Sage, 2012. ISBN 978-1-60871-689-0.
  • Landman, T. Issues and Methods in Comparative Politics: An Introduction. London: Routledge, 2003.
  • Lijphart, Arend. Comparative Politics and the Comparative Method. American Political Science Review, Vol. 65, No. 3, 1971.
  • Punch, K. F. Úspěšný návrh výzkumu. Praha: Portál, 2008.
  • Punch, Keith. Základy kvantitativního šetření. Vyd. 1. Praha : Portál, 2008. ISBN 978-80-7367-381-9.
  • Říchová, Blanka. Přehled moderních politologických teorií : [empiricko-analytický přístup v soudobé politické vědě]. Vyd. 2. Praha : Portál, 2006. ISBN 80-7367-177-8.
  • Šesták, Zdeněk. Jak psát a přednášet o vědě. Praha : Academia, 1999. ISBN 80-200-0755-5.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester