Entry requirements

Political science advanced level, Development Studies advanced level or equivalent education.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, students are expected to:

- Be aware of the basic principles underlying descriptive and causal inference.

- Understand and be able to assess the criteria that make up a good theory.

- Be able to articulate new theory and revise existing theories in an effective manner.

- Be familiar with the language, purpose, and trade-offs of formal theory.

- Understand the strengths of different kinds of qualitative research, including case-studies, small-N comparisons, qualitative comparative analysis, process tracing, and causal-process observation.

- Be able to apply various kinds of statistical inference, with awareness of their assumptions.

- Be able to create effective graphical presentations of data and judge those found in the media, and in policy and academic publications.

- Be aware of the different strategies for identifying and estimating causal effects, including multivariate regression, matching, exploiting use of natural experiments, and causal-process observation.

- Have thought extensively about the application of these methods in different research domains, and developed some design ideas for their own research.

Content

The purpose of this course is to strengthen the ability to apply various methods in social science research, and to improve the understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of different methodological techniques. The course covers both quantitative and qualitative techniques. It emphasises the common principles on which small-n and large-n investigations are based, as well as highlighting relevant differences between the two as regards inferential logic and techniques.

The course discusses the different stages of the research process and the critical choices that a researcher is confronted with. What does a good research question look like? What criteria should guide theory formulation? What are the strengths and weaknesses of different research designs? How should empirical data be interpreted? The course discusses, among other things, the principles of inference and effective research, the criteria of good theory, the role of the mathematical formalisation of theory, the purpose of and examples of good research design, qualitative methods such as case-studies, small-n comparison, and causal-process observation, statistical methods for descriptive and causal inference, multivariate linear and logistic regression, graphical techniques for presentation of data, matching, natural experiments, instrumental variables, and multiple-comparisons and publication bias.

Instruction

The course consists of a number of week-long segments involving lectures, mandatory seminars, and weekly homework. The course literature consists of books, articles, and practical examples. Some of the homework will involve using statistical software (Stata); copies of Stata can be purchased through expedition of the Department of Government or students may use the Stata-enabled computers in the data-lab.

Assessment

The grading of course will be based on the quality of the assignments and active seminar participation. Written examinations may also occur. The purpose of the written exam is twofold. First it provides the basis for grading the students. Second, it encourages the students to review the contents of the course, thereby consolidating the knowledge they have acquired.

Grades are awarded on a scale comprising the grades VG (pass with distinction), G (pass), and U (fail).

To reach the grade pass (G), students must:

* participate in all mandatory seminars and present serious attempts to solve all exercise assignments

* reach at least the grade G (pass) on the written exam when applicable

Course level in relation to degree requirements

After completing the course, students are expected to:

• possess considerable methodological knowledge relevant to the main areas of political science
• possess sufficient methodological skills to participate in research-and-development activities and independently carry out other qualified tasks within the profession
• be aware of ethical aspects of research-and-development activities
• possess knowledge of the possibilities and limits of science, its role in society, and the human responsibility for the use of scientific knowledge