3 ECTS credits
90 u studietijd
Aanbieding 1 met studiegidsnummer 6018290FNW voor werkstudenten in het 1e en 2e semester met een gespecialiseerd master niveau.
The Research methods Laboratory aims primarily at supporting EuroMaster students in the conception, design, drafting and completion of their thesis in a coordinated and structured manner.
This will be done by providing students with a conceptual framework for conceiving and drafting of their thesis; sharing knowledge on research methods and techniques in social sciences, including elements of public policy analysis and research integrity; guiding them towards a systematic and analytical way of thinking of research in the field of EU integration, with the help of practical exercises and group work; providing customized help during the process of writing, in cooperation with the thesis promoters.
The laboratory is thus designed as an essential and practical tool to acquaint students with the appropriate research techniques and methodologies in the canon of European Studies, and a variety of tools, approaches, methods of analysis, writing and research skills.
Teaching method:
· Interactive, lab-style classes (discussing important concepts rather than mere knowledge transmission in a “flipped classroom” mode, which involves posting relevant preparatory material (text, video, audio) via Canvas in advance)
· Part of the course material (including readings, (narrated) presentations, videos, etc) and the related interaction (seminar part) to be delivered on an online platform
· Reflective questions and assignments on the most important topics to be posted via the online platform.
I. Recommended Course Texts
Students are recommended to posses at least one of the following three texts:
· Booth, W C., Colomb, G.G., Williams, J. M. (1995), The craft of research. Chicago, London: Chicago University Press
· Ragin, C.C. (1994), Constructing social research, Pine Forge Press
· Walliman, N. (2005), Your research project, London: Sage – Chapter 1
Further Readings
To supplement their reading, students are recommended to obtain at least one of the following texts:
· King, G., Keohane, R.O., Verba, S. ( 1996), Designing Social Inquiry: Scientific Inference in Qualitative Research, Princeton University Press
· O'Leary, Z. (2004) The essential guide to doing research , London: Sage –
Additional reading:
· Achen, C. (2005). “Two Cheers for Charles Ragin”, Studies in Comparative International Development
· Black, T R, (1999), Doing Quantitative Research in the Social Sciences. London: Sage
· Bonnett, A. (2001), How to Argue, Harlow: Pearson
· Brady, H., Collier, D. eds. (2004), Rethinking Social Inquiry: Diverse Tools, shared Standards, Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield
· Bryman, A. (2004), Social research methods (second edition), Oxford: Oxford University press – Chapter 3
· Flick, U. (2009), An introduction to qualitative research, London: Sage
· George, A.L., Bennett, A. (2005),Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Science, Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press – Chapter 3
· Goertz, G. (2005), Social Science Concepts: A User’s Guide Princeton: Princeton University Press.
- Hart, C. (1998), Doing a Literature Review: Releasing the Social Science Research Imagination, Thousand Oaks: Sage
· Harvey, M. (2003), The Nuts and Bolts of College Writing, Indianapolis: Hackett
· Redman, P. (2001)Good Essay Writing: A Social Sciences Guide, Thousand Oaks: Sage
II. Research question Presentation
Students will make a 10 minutes presentation on the chosen Master Thesis topic (presentation of their master thesis plan), with a special focus on research methodology, as well as a clear explanation and analysis of their research question(s). Students should address these requirements in a one-page document which should be sent to the course convenor before the presentation and support the presentation with PPT slides.
The presentation will be assessed on the basis of the solidity of the research question(s) and demonstration of a clear grasp of research tools.
III. Progress report
The Progress report is a brief record of progress achieved in terms of thesis drafting by end of January. It will contain: a) the title of thesis (any major change of direction has to be motivated); b) account of work done (planned achievements and real ones, including explanation for deviations from the initial plan); c) overview of what remains to be done (including analysis of main difficulties encountered and timetable)..
III Paper on Thesis structure and methodology
Students are required to write a 2500 words paper presenting the methodology of their Master thesis, as well as the overall thesis structure and references. The paper will be evaluated against solidity of the methodology, quality of references and overall coherence of the thesis structure. The assessment will not cover the content-related aspects of the thesis plan, for which coordination with the thesis supervisor might be required.
On successful completion of Research methods Lab, students will be:
· familiar with the various problems involved in designing and conducting a research project in the field of EU integration
· familiar with the literature, theories, concepts and methods relevant to research in social sciences
· familiar with a wide range of hard, soft and online sources of EU Information
· able to independently describe, evaluate and apply different approaches involved in collecting, analyzing and presenting data
· familiar with the conventions of academic writing (style, referencing, footnoting, bibliographies, etc.)
· able to conceive and present a research plan and develop ideas in a coherent and scientifically sound manner
De beoordeling bestaat uit volgende opdrachtcategorieën:
Examen Schriftelijk bepaalt 25% van het eindcijfer
HOC Presentatie bepaalt 25% van het eindcijfer
ZELF Paper bepaalt 50% van het eindcijfer
Binnen de categorie Examen Schriftelijk dient men volgende opdrachten af te werken:
Binnen de categorie HOC Presentatie dient men volgende opdrachten af te werken:
Binnen de categorie ZELF Paper dient men volgende opdrachten af te werken:
Deze aanbieding maakt deel uit van de volgende studieplannen:
Master of European Integration: Track 1: European Economy - Migration and Europe (enkel aangeboden in het Engels)
Master of European Integration: Track 2: European Economy - European External Relations and Security Policy (enkel aangeboden in het Engels)
Master of European Integration: Track 3: European Economy - European Environmental Governance (enkel aangeboden in het Engels)
Master of European Integration: Track 4: Migration and Europe - European Environmental Governance (enkel aangeboden in het Engels)
Master of European Integration: Track 5: European External Relations and Security Policy - Migration and Europe (enkel aangeboden in het Engels)
Master of European Integration: Track 6: European Environmental Governance - European External Relations and Security Policy (enkel aangeboden in het Engels)