FSS:MEB431 Social Science Methodology - Course Information

MEB431 Social Science Methodology

Extent and Intensity

1/1/0. 8 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Taught online.

Teacher(s)

Mgr. Lukáš Lehotský, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Mgr. Jan Osička, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Mgr. Filip Černoch, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Hedvika Koďousková, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
doc. Mgr. Petr Ocelík, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. et Mgr. Veronika Velička Zapletalová, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)

Guaranteed by

doc. Mgr. Jan Osička, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies

Prerequisites (in Czech)

! MEBn4003 Social Science Methodology && ! NOW ( MEBn4003 Social Science Methodology )

Course Enrolment Limitations

The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with

• International Relations and Energy Security (programme FSS, N-MS)

Course objectives

The course introduces students to the process of social science research. It emphasizes general procedures such as discriminating between theories, posing proper research questions, operationalizing concepts, or collecting data. Along with that, main questions and dilemmas pertinent to different approaches to research are addressed. The goal of the course is to provide students with basic instruments necessary for drafting a viable research proposal. The research proposal is one of two main outcomes of the course, through which students apply and test the acquired knowledge and skills. A feedback loop of peer review as well as teacher review and consultation ensures learning. In ideal situation, the submitted design might serve as a basis of the diploma thesis proposal. Along with that, students prove their knowledge through a written exam.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to draft a viable research proposal, with properly set research question, adequate literature review, and fitting theoretical framework.

Syllabus

• 1. Course introduction and the introduction of research design
• 2. Quantitative and qualitative research – false (?) dichotomy
• 3. Selection of a research problem, literature review, and research questions
• 4. Concepts, theories and their role in the research
• 5. Operationalization, variables, and measurement
• 6. Sampling, case and case selection
• 7. Methods of data acquisition
• 8. Quantitative methods and statistics
• 9. Qualitative methods
• 10. Questions and answers session
• 11. and 12. Research design presentations

Teaching methods

- Reading
- Lectures
- In-class discussion
- Homework assignment
- Peer review feedback
- Presentation
- Individual consultation

Assessment methods

Exam, research proposal, peer review report.

Language of instruction

Czech

Further Comments

Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.

Listed among pre-requisites of other courses

• MEBn4003 Social Science Methodology
  !MEB431 && !NOW(MEB431)  

• Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  
• Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2021/MEB431