Module: Guided Research Project

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Guided Research Project
Module Code	POL1026 (ITS: LG2180)
Faculty	Law & Government	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	10

Description

The purpose of this module is to plan and complete a substantial piece of independent research on a topic relating to a contemporary issue in international relations. Students will explore and operationalise appropriate research design strategies and research methods. By the end of the course students should have a better understanding of what constitutes a substantial piece of research, how to begin and manage research projects, how to identify appropriate sources and what kind of problems might be encountered.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify, synthesise, and critically appraise academic and other relevant literature relating to topics in contemporary international relations.
2. Identify a range of research designs that can be used to address puzzles and problems in the study of international relations.
3. Distinguish between qualitative and quantitative research methods and specify rules for successful case selection.
4. Identify a range of sources appropriate to the completion of a research project.
5. Plan and manage their own work over a prescribed period.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	33	No Description
Independent Study	342	No Description
Total Workload: 375

Section Breakdown
CRN	20916	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Erika Biagini	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	An independent study project of no more than 10,000 words on a topic of the student s choice	100%	Week 24

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Research Design
This session aims to familiarise students with the process of developing research questions and hypothesis. It also explores a range of appropriate research strategies (cross-sectional/longitudinal studies, comparative, case studies).

Literature review
In this session students will learn how to find relevant secondary sources. The session also provides students with guidance on how to map the literature and locate their own project within their research area.

Writing up
This session focuses on how to structure the project. It also provides students with guidance for effective time management and for developing the habit of writing.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Smith, K., Todd, M. & Waldman, J.: 2009, Doing Your Undergraduate Social Science Dissertation, Routledge, London,
Baglione, L: 2006, Writing a Research Paper in Political Science, Wadsworth Publishing Co Inc, US,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None