Registry

Module Specifications

Archived Version 2016 - 2017

Module Title	Research Methodology
Module Code	LG528A
School	School of Law & Government
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Prof Iain McMenamin	Office Number	CG19B
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

The aim of this module is to prepare you for the dissertation that you are required to complete as part of your MA programme. Research in international relations and political science can be done well and it can be done poorly. This course is about how to do good research, which would entail identifying interesting puzzles, formulating good and doable questions, gathering the right data in the right way, carefully defining and measuring concepts and variables, constructing and developing arguments, and structuring your thesis in a coherent manner. In all likelihood, if you focus on a specific and narrow topic of your choice and study it in depth, you will know more about this topic that anybody else, including your supervisor. However, it is research design that usually makes a difference between a good and bad dissertation, and your final mark will primarily be based on how you do your research rather than on what. Your dissertation counts for one-third of your total marks for the programme and it is extremely important to design your thesis well. The aim of this class is to help you meet the general requirements for a good thesis and to offer a menu of techniques which may be relevant for some theses.

Learning Outcomes

1. identify research puzzles, formulate good and `doable' research questions and transform them into a sophisticated research design.
2. produce research proposal for MA dissertation
3. be able to incorporate research design in her research papers throughout the year

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Lecture and student presentations
Independent Study	226	No Description
Total Workload: 250

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

Establishing a Dissertation timetable

Writing the thesis proposal

Research skills
internet, databases, CD ROMs, OPACs

Using theory and models in empirical research

First steps in producing a literature review

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Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
Unavailable

Indicative Reading List

Robson, Colin: 2002, Real World Research: A Resource for Social Scientists and Practitioner-researchers, 2nd ed. Oxford, UK.,
See Course Outline on Loop for further readings: 0,

Other Resources

None

Programme or List of Programmes

MDEV	MA in Development
MIR	MA in International Relations
MISC	MA in International Security & Conflict
MPP	MSc in Public Policy

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