Course code: GEMRESPR
Coordinator: Dr. Louise Meijering
Teaching: prof.dr. P. McCann (contact), dr. L.B. Meijering, guest lecturers, student assistant
Workload:5 ECTS (140 hours)
Assessment: Assignments, presentation, research proposal, exam. The exam has to be completed with sufficient marks (5.5 out of 10). The research proposal should be well presented, well defended and approved. Participation in classes is part of the judgment. The exam counts for 40%, research proposal 60% (of which paper 90%, presentation 10%).
Period: Semester 1a
Objectives
After the course, students know what the research process is about; they know how to go through the whole research process, i.e. how and why to formulate research questions and research objectives, to use theories, to formulate a conceptual model, to define concepts and operationalize the variables, to construct a questionnaire, to select and interview respondents, and to report on data found. Students know about the ethical aspects of social science research.
Students present a draft research proposal for their Master thesis.
Content
In the course, students learn to go through the research process, i.e. from the formulation of research questions and research objectives, the application of theory and conceptual models, to definition of concepts and operationalization, to construction of a questionnaire, selection of respondents and interview respondents. Students go through parts of the research process by applying the research process to the topic of their Master thesis. Weekly assignments are provided, in which students slowly build the research proposal. The weekly assignments will be discussed in class. The research proposal includes a theoretical framework/model and students learn about different data sources and how to construct a list of questions; a clear link is made to the Workshop Qualitative Methods where students learn how to conduct qualitative research and how to interview. The research proposal includes a reflection on the data set and the quality of data, to be used in the Master thesis, or a reflection on possible problems to be faced in the field. Participation in classes and seminars is part of the assessement.
Course design
Discussion, Assignments (1 lecture and 1 tutorial a week)
Target group
Students MSc in Population Studies and students MSc Research Master in Regional Studies.
Core literature
- Babbie, E. (2006), The practice of social research. Belmont: Wadsworth publishing company.
