IR 303 Syllabus

IR 303

Research Methods for Social Sciences

Fall  2015

Aysuda Kölemen

Wednesday 11:40-13:30 (Room D502)
Wednesday 13:40-14:30 (Room D204 PCLAB)

Office Hours: Wednesday 14:00-15:30 and by appointment

Email: aysuda.kolemen@kemerburgaz.edu.tr

COURSE GOALS

We are all amateur scientists. Human beings cannot help devising theories and hypotheses, collecting data and drawing conclusions. However, unless we do these methodically, our inquiry leads us to the untestable conclusions and unsupported certainty. Scientific method aims at systematizing human inquiry, and the development of the scientific method is one of the most significant leaps in human history.  However, science is not a singular enterprise. Researching laws of nature and researching societies and the human beings that comprise them require different approaches and methods. In this course, we will approach science as a tool to examine and discuss how we can understand and explain “social reality.” The goal is to extend our understanding of how we acquire knowledge about human beings, societies, social structures and institutions, how we pass it on and how we continuously review it with a skeptical eye. Our focus will be largely on political science and international relations with some foray into other social sciences.

REQUIRED READINGS

McIntyre, L. J. (2005) Need to Know: Social Science Research Methods McGraw-Hill International Edition.

Other required texts will be available at the University Photocopy Shop.

GRADE BREAKDOWN

Term Paper             (40%)

Final                           (20%)             

Quizzes                       (40%)

           

Course Policies:

• Readings assigned for the week are due on Wednesday unless stated otherwise on the syllabus. It is ESSENTIAL that you read the daily assignments before you come to class. This will help you follow the lecture, and participate in discussions.

• Test questions will be drawn from readings, lectures and class discussions.

• A legitimate excuse explaining your absence (serious medical problem or family emergency) is required for taking a make-up exam.

• I may post announcements or supplementary readings on the course blog at http://socialsciences-researchmethods.blogspot.com.tr/.

• I reserve the right to make changes to this syllabus as necessary.

•Cases of academic dishonesty (cheating and plagiarism) will be referred to the disciplinary committee.

Reading Assignment Schedule

Week 1 (September 16)

Introduction

Week 2 (September 30)

Why You Need to Know: An Introduction

Week 3  (October 7)

The Nature of the Scientific Exercise
Quiz #1

Week  4 (October 14)

The Logic of Inquiry
Quiz #2

Week 5 (October 21)
The Vocabulary of Science

Quiz #4

Week 6 (October 28)
Doing the Right Thing –Ethics in Social Research

Quiz # 5

Week 7 (November 4)
Sampling

Quiz # 6

Week 8 (November 11)

Elements of Research Design

Quiz # 7

Week 9 (November 18)

Experiments

Week 10 (November 25)

Survey Research – Part 1: The Art of Asking Questions
Quiz #8

Week 11 (December 2)

Survey Research- Part 2: Design and Implementation

Quiz #9

Week 12 (December 9) 

Unobtrusive Methods

Week 13 (December 16)

Qualitative Research Methods

Quiz # 10

Week 14 (December 23)

Selected Articles