Module SGIA1201: Researching Politics and International Relations

Department: Government and International Affairs

SGIA1201: Researching Politics and International Relations

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To introduce students to a range of strategies used to produce knowledge in politics and international relations.
• To help students develop a critical appreciation of the strengths and weaknesses of a range of research methods.
• To enable students to gain some practical experience of carrying out selected parts of the process of doing research in politics and international relations.
• To introduce students to ethical issues embedded in research.
• To encourage students to consider the relationship between evidence and theory.

Content

• The course content is split into three blocks.
• The first block of lectures and seminars, delivered in the first term, will introduce students to some of the basic issues involved in doing research in politics and international relations.
• The second block provides an introduction to quantitative methods and statistics. This is delivered through a mixture of labs, seminars and lectures and provides students with an introductory examination of basic statistical techniques and how we can use data and software to advance political knowledge.
• We consider this through the lens of the 'scientific method' and consider the tenets upon which quantitative knowledge is built.
• In block three, we examine several qualitative methods for collecting and analysing data about politics and international relations such as interviewing, ethnographic approaches or the use of case studies.

Learning Outcomes

• Having completed this module, students have knowledge and understanding of:
• Important elements of political analysis and established techniques and methods for theorising and empirical investigation of specific political phenomena and events in a variety of contexts.
• have an awareness of the different approaches to the empirical study of politics and international relations.
• have an awareness of the issues involved in the collection and interpretation of different types of evidence, specific to research in politics and international relations.

• Having completed this module, students will:
• Identify a suitable research topic, develop and critically evaluate research questions and hypotheses, while demonstrating awareness of the ethical implications of research and inquiry.
• Identify, interpret, and apply appropriate methods of analysis (quantitative, qualitative, and normative) to political problems and advocate solutions.
• Systematically search for and identify a diverse set of relevant sources on a research topic and critically assess and use the sources to engage with a wide range of theories, concepts, debates, and empirical findings in the field.

• By the end of this module, students will be able to demonstrate:
• Effectively, ethically, and competently use available information communication technology (ICT), including generative artificial intelligence, to retrieve, develop, analyse, and present information;
• Effectively communicate complex information based on the analysis, comparison, and assessment of theories, concepts, and/or data through a variety of formats (written, spoken, and visually) and to different audiences;
• Interpret, critically analyse, apply, and present numerical, textual and other forms of data.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Digital Learning: The module uses a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to provide students with access to core materials that will support synchronous learning sessions, including:
• Required and additional readings for specific learning sessions that scaffold learning and ensure accessibility to synchronous sessions for all students
• Lecture recordings
• Curated on-line resources linked to specific learning sessions that provide representative and inclusive reference points for all students
• Workbooks in support of the labs to help guide learning
• Lab videos to provide material in advance of synchronous online labs
• Appropriate multi-media and open educational resources
• The lectures will:
• outline the basis of political research and the importance of both evidence and theory
• provide an overview of a variety of qualitative research methods that can be used to study politics and international relations
• provide an introductory overview of the rules that underpin quantitative research and analytical techniques to study politics and international relations
• consider competing views on knowledge-production and how we evaluate and value evidence;
• The seminars will:
• provide interactive opportunities to put into practice the lessons from both lectures and labs. They will focus upon equipping students with critical skills to evaluate research designs, understand the building blocks of research design and how to utilise a range of methods in their research.
• through seminars, students will gain critical skills to appropriately evaluate and design effective research strategies
• The labs will:
• teach students a range of quantitative techniques using statistical software;
• encourage students to critically engage with a variety of politics and/or international relations data;
• students will be encouraged to learn how to use AI for trouble-shooting software issues they encounter, but will be expected to demonstrate how the software works and be able to use introductory techniques without reliance upon AI;
• The formative assessments will:
• The formative assessment for the quantitative assessment requires students to demonstrate both specific skills in knowing and understanding the themes of the module and broader skills in written communication;
• support students develop an understanding of key statistical concepts, techniques, and the interpretation of statistical tests through a series of multiple choice / short answer quizzes.
• the 1,000-word essay is linked to the qualitative summative supporting students in the identification of a suitable research topic and appropriate analysis approach.
• The summative assessments will:
• test students on their ability to find basic information relating to the course through a multiple-choice quiz. It will test their knowledge of the module and program structure, announcements and emails sent relating to the course and ability to navigate library resources.
• the in-lab exercise will test students' ability to use statistical software to answer a research question. It will involve choosing appropriate data, operationalising key concepts, recoding information, choosing appropriate tests and interpreting results without the use of AI.
• the qualitative methods project will allow students to demonstrate their knowledge and ability to develop an appropriate research design to address a specific question. As part of this project students will engage with Gen AI to critically assess and or improve their approach.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

One essay linked to qualitative research design of 1,500 words and multiple choice/short answer quizzes.

■ Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.