FSS:POL294 Research in Political Science - Course Information

POL294 Workshop: Research in Political Science

Extent and Intensity

1/1/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).

Teacher(s)

doc. Mgr. Peter Spáč, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Petr Voda, Ph.D. (lecturer)

Guaranteed by

prof. PhDr. Stanislav Balík, Ph.D.
Division of Politology – Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Lucie Pospíšilová
Supplier department: Division of Politology – Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies

Timetable

Tue 8:00–11:15 PC25

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 128 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display

Course objectives

At the end of the course the students will manage basic empirical research skills. The emphasis will be put on practical competencies of conducting one’s research. Students are able to formulate research questions, research goals and plan adequate research design on the basis of the first part of the course. Students are able to distinguish basic techniques of data collection (observation, interviewing, documents) and actively employ some of them in their own research on the basis of the second part of the course. Students are able to basically analyze quantitative data using statistical software SPSS on the basis of the third part of the course.

Syllabus

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Public Holidays
• PRINCIPLES OF EMPIRICAL RESEARCH
• 3. What is research in social sciences?
• 4. From questions to research
• DATA COLLECTION
• 5. Observation, Interview, Documents, secondary analysis
• 6. Questionnaire
• DATA ANALYSIS
• 7. Document analysis
• 8. Introduction to SPSS, univariate analysis
• 9. Transformation of variables, statistical inference
• 10. Bivariate analysis I.
• 11. Bivariate analysis II.
• 12. Introduction to multivariate analysis – linear regression
• 13. Seminar

Literature

• PUNCH, Keith. Úspěšný návrh výzkumu. Translated by Jan Hendl. Vyd. 1. Praha: Portál, 2008, 230 s. ISBN 9788073674687. info
• PIERCE, Roger. Research methods in politics : a practical guide. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2008, xi, 339. ISBN 9781412935517. info
• O'LEARY, Zina. The Essential guide to doing research. London: Sage publications, 2004, xii, 226. ISBN 9780761941996. info
• FIELD, Andy P. Discovering statistics using SPSS : (and sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll). 3rd ed. Los Angeles: Sage, 2009, xxxiii, 82. ISBN 9781847879073. info

Teaching methods

workshop: lectures, seminars, seminar excercises

Assessment methods

- Participation in seminars: Students have to take part at 7 seminars. Participation in seminars is necessary condition for taking the exam. Students will do exercises and discuss individual topics at the seminars.
- Empirical analysis (exam): Students have to submit 4-5 pages long empirical analysis that deals with the selected research topic. This paper has to be submitted a weak before student takes the exam. The exam will be in form of discussion of the empirical analysis. The goal of the exam is not to memorize individual statistical techniques for instance but to show basic orientation in practical questions of research (research background, research questions and goals, design, data collection and analysis).
Evaluation: 10 points empirical analysis + 10 points discussion at exam. For participation at seminars students do not get points, however it is possible to get extra points for special activity at the seminars. Grades: 20-18 points A, 17-16 points B, 15-14 points C, 13 points D, 12 points E, 11 points and less F.

Language of instruction

Czech

Further comments (probably available only in Czech)

Study Materials
The course is taught annually.

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