Research Methods Lab

3 ECTS credits
90 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 6018290FNW for working students in the 1st and 2nd semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.

Semester

1st and 2nd semester

Enrollment based on exam contract

Impossible

Grading method

Grading (scale from 0 to 20)

Can retake in second session

Yes

Taught in

English

Faculty

Faculty of Social Sciences & SolvayBusinessSchool

Department

Institute for European Studies

Educational team

Jamal Shahin (course titular)

Activities and contact hours

13 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
13 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study

Course Content

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.

Course material

Digital course material (Recommended) : Optional Additional readings provided on the learning platform, Canvas
Digital course material (Required) : Research Methods: Required Weekly Readings
Digital course material (Recommended) : Research Methods: Lecture Notes, Lecture Notes
Digital course material (Recommended) : Research Methods: Seminar Handouts, Seminar Handouts
Digital course material (Recommended) : Research Methods: Course synopsis and slides, Course synopsis and slides provided by the course convenor

Additional info

Please see canvas page for more information.

Learning Outcomes

General Competences

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

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 25% of the final mark.
LEC Presentation determines 25% of the final mark.
SELF Paper determines 50% of the final mark.

Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

Written Exam with a relative weight of 25 which comprises 25% of the final mark.

Note: Written Exam (1st term): 25%

Within the LEC Presentation category, the following assignments need to be completed:

Research question presentation with a relative weight of 25 which comprises 25% of the final mark.

Note: Research question presentation (1st term): 25%

Within the SELF Paper category, the following assignments need to be completed:

Research Paper with a relative weight of 50 which comprises 50% of the final mark.

Note: Research Paper of 2500 words (excluding footnotes and bibliography), where students are required to outline the thesis structure, methodology and a tentative bibliography, and demonstrate the mastery of scientific referencing (2nd term): 50%

Additional info regarding evaluation

A research question presentation which determines 30% of the final mark.
A Progress report which determines 30% of the final mark.
A Resesarch Paper which determines 40% of the final mark.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark

The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context