BSSn4405 Methodology in the Research of Security

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 8 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Jakub Drmola, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Mgr. Peter Spáč, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Jan Kleiner, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Michal Tóth, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Peter Spáč, Ph.D.
Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Lucie Pospíšilová
Supplier department: Division of Security and Strategic Studies – Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! BSS405 Methodology && !NOW( BSS405 Methodology )
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
At the end of the course the students will be able to plan, design, and execute empirical research. They will be able to develop, apply, and test theories in both small- and large-N research. The students will be able to select adequate methodologies in order to deal with their research problems and argue for the employment of specific methods. They will be able not only to prepare their own dissertation proposals, but to also prepare whatever proposal they will need in their future carriers.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, the students will be able to plan, design, and carry out empirical research. Their abilities will include development, application, and testing of theories in both small- and large-N research, thus allowing them to prepare their final thesis and other research proposals in their future carriers.
Syllabus
  • - Security as a research topic
  • - Strategy and planning
  • - Research design
  • - Surveys
  • - Interview and content analysis
  • - Quantitative analysis
  • - Models and systems
Literature
    required literature
  • HÁJEK, Martin. Čtenář a stroj : vybrané metody sociálněvědní analýzy textů. Vydání první. Praha: Sociologické nakladatelství (SLON), 2014, 226 stran. ISBN 9788074191619. info
  • CIOFFI-REVILLA, Claudio A. Introduction to computational social science : principles and applications. London: Springer, 2014, xxxiii, 32. ISBN 9781447156604. info
  • BRINKMANN, Svend. Qualitative interviewing. New York: Oxford University Press, 2013, ix, 177. ISBN 9780199861392. info
  • GOERTZ, Gary and James MAHONEY. A tale of two cultures : qualitative and quantitative research in the social sciences. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 2012, viii, 238. ISBN 9780691149714. info
  • ROBSON, Colin. Real world research : a resource for users of social research methods in applied settings. 3rd ed. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, 2011, xxi, 586. ISBN 9781405182409. info
  • BURNHAM, Peter. Research methods in politics. 2nd ed. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2008, xii, 370. ISBN 9780230019850. info
  • PUNCH, Keith. Úspěšný návrh výzkumu. Translated by Jan Hendl. Vyd. 1. Praha: Portál, 2008, 230 s. ISBN 9788073674687. info
  • KING, Gary, Sidney VERBA and Robert O. KEOHANE. Designing social inquiry :scientific inference in qualitative research. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1994, xi, 247 s. ISBN 0-691-03471-0. info
  • DISMAN, Miroslav. Jak se vyrábí sociologická znalost. Praha: Karolinum, 1993, 374 s. ISBN 80-7066-822-9. info
Teaching methods
Lectures, seminars discussing students' draft research designs.
Assessment methods
The overall evaluation consists of three parts:
- research proposal (20 points)
- final written examination (20 points)
- seminar assignments (4x 5 points)

A score of at least 60% of the overall maximum of 60b and a minimum of 7 points on the final test is required for graduation.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2025/BSSn4405