MVZb2060 Introduction to Internet-based Research

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2021
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Maya Higgins, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
PhDr. Petr Suchý, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Tue 14:00–15:40 P21b
Prerequisites
Proficiency in English to an academic standard is required.
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
there are 8 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
This introductory course will develop an overview of concepts, methods, and applications of Internet-based research. Alongside a theoretical discussion and a review of relevant scholarship, special attention is given to applying theoretical knowledge learned during the course in designing and conducting your own online surveys/questionnaires, and analyzing them (basic analysis- no scary statistics!). The course is composed of three parts: - The first part will focus on a theoretical understanding of core concepts of internet-based research, the background to challenges of conducting internet-based research, different sources of data online, etc. - In the second part of the course, students will have the opportunity to practice their newly acquired knowledge in designing and executing their own online surveys. Students will be able to work on their surveys both in class, and at home, and will be continuously supported by the instructor in this process. In the third part of the course, online indices as data sources in academic research conducted in political science and international relations will be discussed in-depth. We will explore the most common indices seeking to measure and rank states’ political development and performance. We will assess their relative weaknesses and strengthens and read multidisciplinary academic literature, utilizing such data.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course: • Students should acquire a solid understanding of concepts central to the fields of internet-based research. • Students would be familiar with the most commonly used indices in research international relations and political science. • Students would possess basic skills and competencies to design and conduct online surveys. * Students would possess the basic skills necessary to analyse internet-based data, thus enabling them to use such data in their future studies.
Syllabus
  • An interactive syllabus will be available to registered students a week prior to the beginning of the semester.
Teaching methods
Lectures, class discussions, group projects, class presentations.
Assessment methods
This is a pass/fail course. A passing grade will be awarded to students based on: 1. The quality of a short presentation in class (of a research paper OR an online index) 2. The quality of a term paper (written in groups of 2/3), based on your own online survey study, or on other internet-based data (e.g, from indices).
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2021, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2021/MVZb2060