ADM5302 ETHICS AND RESEARCH METHODS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
| Course Code: | 3105302 |
| METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week): | 3 (0.00 - 0.00) |
| ECTS Credit: | 8.0 |
| Department: | Political Science and Public Adm. |
| Language of Instruction: | English |
| Level of Study: | Graduate |
| Course Coordinator: | Assist.Prof.Dr ÖZGÜR AVCI |
| Offered Semester: | Fall and Spring Semesters. |
Course Objectives
This course provides a graduate-level introduction to and overview of approaches to political science research. We will first start discussing the major methodological, ontological, and epistemological approaches to research in political science. We will then lay the foundations of conducting research in political sciences, covering important issues such as ethics, research questions, literature review, and academic writing. We will continue with examining a rich collection of qualitative and quantitative research methods, by exploring both the theoretical approaches to these methods and practical/empirical applications of these methods in our field.
The capstone of the course is an original research proposal, which students may submit as a TÜBİTAK research proposal (such as TÜBİTAK 1001, 1002, 3501 programs) or an equivalent research proposal to be submitted to international agencies such as the European Union. At the end of the course, the students are expected to be well-equipped and knowledgeable regarding various research methods and techniques in our field, how to conduct them in their own research, and how to present their research in front of an academic audience.
Course Content
This course aims to introduce graduate students to the design and implementation of research projects in the social sciences. Course participants will explore some approaches in the philosophy of science, basic terms and concepts related to measurement and sampling as well as various qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis such as designing and implementing questionnaires, interviews, field research, experiments, content analysis and case studies.
Course Learning Outcomes
Students, who succeeded in this course, will be able to:
- grasp different approaches to political science research,
- be able to discuss the major methodological, ontological, and epistemological approaches to research in political science,
- become skilled and able in various qualitative and quantitative research methods in political science,
- conduct own research at the graduate level,
- become prepared for project applications in the field of social sciences.
Program Outcomes Matrix
| Level of Contribution | |||||
| # | Program Outcomes | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 1 | The ability to interpret and assess the ways in which power is generated and used socially, institutionally, economically and culturally at the local, national and international levels. | ✔ | |||
| 2 | The ability to conduct interdisciplinary studies and research when assessing the social phenomena in the field of Political Science and Public Administration. | ✔ | |||
| 3 | To attain a sound formation regarding the basic topics, like state-society relations, history of political thought, organisational theory, Turkish politics and comparative politics, in the field of Political Science and Public Administration. | ✔ | |||
| 4 | The ability to use the classical and new approaches in social sciences comprehensively and critically. | ✔ | |||
| 5 | To acquire the methodological knowledge and scientific skills which would enhance the capacity to conduct scientific research and produce publications including a M.S. thesis. | ✔ | |||
| 6 | The ability to evaluate the different dimensions of the problems in the policy areas which are studied through the use of different theoretical perspectives and to develop strategies on this basis. | ✔ | |||
| 7 | To uphold ethical principles in science, academy and life. | ✔ | |||
| 8 | To approach the issues by an independent, critical and inventive cognitive orientation, which could also support the professional career development. | ✔ | |||
0: No Contribution 1: Little Contribution 2: Partial Contribution 3: Full Contribution