UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Confirmation that this version of the module specification has been approved by the School Learning and Teaching Committee:
…23 September 2015……………………………………………….(date)
MODULE SPECIFICATION
1. Title of the module
Political Research and Analysis (PO657)
2. School or partner institution which will be responsible for management of the module
Politics and International Relations
3. Start date of the module
2012 (revised version start date Autumn 2015)
4. The number of students expected to take the module
> 200
5. Modules to be withdrawn on the introduction of this proposed module and consultation with other relevant Schools and Faculties regarding the withdrawal
N/A
6. The level of the module (e.g. Certificate [C], Intermediate [I], Honours [H] or Postgraduate [M])
FHEQ Level: 5
7. The number of credits and the ECTS value which the module represents
15 (7.5 ECTS)
8. Which term(s) the module is to be taught in (or other teaching pattern)
Autumn OR Spring
9. Prerequisite and co-requisite modules
PO326, Introduction to Political Science or equivalent
10. The programmes of study to which the module contributes
This is a compulsory module for all single-honours BA programmes for which the School of Politics and International Relations is responsible.
11. The intended subject specific learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will
11.1: Understand the importance of quantitative research methods for the cumulative growth of knowledge in the political and social sciences;
11.2: be able to understand the basic logic of the empirical research process,
11.3: be familiar with key methodological and statistical concepts relevant to quantitative data analysis,
11.4: have improved their ability to critically evaluate arguments supported by quantitative work,
11.5: be able to select and evaluate statistical tests appropriate to explore substantive research questions in the fields of politics and international relations,
11.6: have developed a basic ability to enter, code, manipulate, and examine data sets with SPSS for Windows, and
11.7: formulate and test simple hypotheses using bivariate and multivariate designs.
12. The intended generic learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
12.1: engage critically with political phenomena, including the vocabulary, concepts, theories and methods of political debate
12.2: examine and evaluate different interpretations of political issues, events and solutions to problems
12.3: describe, evaluate and apply different approaches involved in collecting, analysing and presenting political information
12.4: develop reasoned arguments, synthesise relevant information and exercise critical judgement
12.5: use information and communication technology for bibliographical searches, data acquisition, data analysis and presentation
12.6: work independently, demonstrating initiative, self-organisation and time-management
13. A synopsis of the curriculum
This module seeks to enable students to read, interpret and critically assess arguments drawing on quantitative methods in Politics and International Relations. It has two main components. First, students will be introduced (a) to the logic of empirical research in the social sciences and (b) to basic concepts and techniques of uni-variate, bi-variate and multi-variate data analysis. In addition, students’ ICT skills will be acquired/enhanced by the introduction to and use of statistical software (SPSS). Second, students will critically engage with the application of quantitative methods to research problems in Politics and International Relations. In this part, the focus will be on student-centred learning and critical reflection of selected examples of quantitative work in seminars and group work.
14. Indicative Reading List
Bryman, Alan, Social research methods, 3rd ed, Oxford University Press, 2008.
Pollock, Philip H. III: The Essentials of Political Analysis. Third edition, Washington, DC: CQ Press 2009.
Pollock, Philip H. III: An SPSS Companion to Political Analysis. Third Edition. Washington, DC: CQ Press 2009.
Perry, Robert L. and John D. Robertson: Comparative Analysis of Nations: Quantitative Approaches (Boulder, CO and Oxford: Westview Press, 2002).
Shively, W. Phillips: The Craft of Political Research. Seventh edition, (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2009).
15. Learning and Teaching Methods, including the nature and number of contact hours and the total study hours which will be expected of students, and how these relate to achievement of the intended module learning outcomes
Lectures
Schedule: 11 contact hours: there are 11 lectures
Learning outcomes: 11.1-3, 11.5; 12.1-3; in particular, lectures will aim at introducing key concepts of quantitative research and mixed methods in political science, place them within the context of epistemological debates and questions of research design and provide illustrations of applications to selected areas of quantitative study in political science research.
Achievement of learning outcomes: these outcomes will be achieved through the oral and visual presentation of lecture material that will introduce the relevant issues and present key concepts, methods and techniques as well as examples of substantial research questions and empirical research.
Seminars/PC Laboratory Sessions
Schedule: 11 contact hours; one PC lab session per week for 11 weeks
PC lab sessions will allow students to develop their proficiency in the use of SPSS. Lab exercises will be based on the topics introduced in the lectures.
Learning outcomes: 11.1-7; 12.1-6; in particular, students will have opportunities to develop their ability to use software packages such as SPSS for Windows in the coding, entering and analysis of quantitative data. Students will also apply concepts and methods; structure, evaluate and support or reject complex arguments in discussions and assignments.
Achievement of learning outcomes: these outcomes will be achieved through guided work on pre-formulated exercises, some of which will be undertaken as group work, and through the interpretation of statistical output in co-operation and discussion with their peers and teaching staff. They will also achieve these through discussions in which students develop their understanding through interaction, co-operation and discussion with their peers.
Independent study
Schedule: 128 hours: in these hours, students are expected to read the recommended texts for each session, undertake the exercises, research and write their coursework assignments, and prepare for the class test.
Learning outcomes: 11.1-7, 12.1-6; in particular, explore in detail aspects and issues introduced in the lectures; link them to wider issues in political research; reflect critically on them.
Achievement of learning outcomes: these outcomes will be achieved through students’ own reading, research and preparation of lab sessions, class tests and essays.
16. Assessment methods and how these relate to testing achievement of the intended module learning outcomes
Formative assessment of the seminar presentations and written assignments will be given throughout the module in the form of oral and written feedback. Summative assessment of the module will be 100% coursework based on the following:
Type of assessment / Task / Learning outcomes assessed / Weight towards final mark (%)End-of-term project / Students will be given a data set and asked to perform a series of statistical analyses. They will have to present their findings and analyse them in an essay of less than 2500 words. The word limit does not include tables. / 11.1-11.7
12.1-12.6 / 40
Weekly assignments / Students will submit weekly assignments related to both the lecture content and exercises carried out in the PC lab sessions. / 11.3-6
12.1, 12.5-6 / 60
P.S. Even though the weekly assignments assess fewer learning outcomes than the end-of-term project, they have a greater weight because the emphasis of the module is on the mastery of the methods and techniques of statistical analysis.
17. Implications for learning resources, including staff, library, IT and space
a) Staff: some limited additional resources required to teach the material covered in the second part (the first part is being taught already). The School Learning and Teaching Committee and the Head of School have agreed to make these resources available.
b) Library: minimal additional resources required
c) IT: SPSS
d) Space: Computer lab required for seminars
18. The School recognises and has embedded the expectations of current disability equality legislation, and supports students with a declared disability or special educational need in its teaching. Within this module we will make reasonable adjustments wherever necessary, including additional or substitute materials, teaching modes or assessment methods for students who have declared and discussed their learning support needs. Arrangements for students with declared disabilities will be made on an individual basis, in consultation with the University’s disability/dyslexiasupport service, and specialist support will be provided where needed.
19. Campus(es) or Centre(s) where module will be delivered:
Canterbury
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