This course introduces students to an overview of research in the social sciences, with special emphasis on questions of research design. Students will discuss how to come up with a good research question in relation to an observed puzzle or challenge in international security, how to select methods that are appropriate to answer their research question, how to conduct ethical research, how to move from idea to data and from data to idea, how to draw inferences, and how to discuss the implications of their findings. It offers hands-on guidance for the drafting of literature reviews, dissertation proposals, and the writing up of students’ final research projects. They will learn how to identify and deal with context-specific challenges along the way, such as limited access to relevant data or biases in research.

During the first eight weeks of the course, we will have regular seminar classes covering the different building blocks of research design. During this time, students will produce a draft research proposal for their dissertation. The first session will begin the process of drafting a research proposal by identifying a research topic. Subsequent sessions will allow students to clarify aspects of their research proposal. During the last four weeks, students will present their research proposals and will receive and offer feedback on their classmates’ proposals. 

This course builds on the methods and theory courses students have taken in the first semester. Specifically, it emphasizes the application of what students are studying to their final research projects.

In addition to the required readings listed on the Virtual Campus, which are kept brief, students are strongly encouraged to read two articles of their choice related to their own dissertation topic for each of the first eight sessions. This additional reading is essential to building a strong research design

and developing a persuasive dissertation proposal. In the last four weeks of the course, students are expected to come to class having read all of the dissertation proposals under discussion. This is essential to their active participation and learning during these last four classes. Engaging with other

proposals and providing constructive feedback will be beneficial for everyone involved. Students are encouraged to team up with others who work on similar topics or are interested in similar approaches.

Assessment

The final grade for this course is based on four tasks listed below. 

The deadlines will be given in the first class of the course. There is a 0.5-point (out of 10) reduction of the grade for late submission during successive 24h periods. This means that a deliverable submitted 5 minutes late and one submitted 23 hours and 55 minutes late will receive the same penalty. In case of any problems, please contact the me as early as possible.

1. Dissertation research proposal (2000 words, excluding footnotes and bibliography): (50%)

2. Presentation of draft dissertation proposal on one of the last four sessions of the course (20%)

3. Acting as main discussant of another student’s draft dissertation proposal, by providing both oral and written feedback during one of the last four sessions of the course (20%)

4. Class participation: based on active participation throughout the semester (10%)

Full guidance for the preparation of these tasks will be provided, and expectations will be discussed.

Competences, learning outcomes and teaching activities (PDF)