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Fall semester - MA - IBM Calendar view

Research Methods 20-21


Class
Almudena Ortega Segura
Enrolment for this class is currently closed.

Lessons

Here is the class outline:

Week 1 - Introduction to the module

28 Sep

Venue: MIUC Required Reading for this session: MSG (Module Study Guide) Key Concepts:This first week of the module we will start by introducing ourselves and by exploring students' motivations and expectations. Furthermore, we will go in depth on students' previous knowledge about research. Finally, some general information about formal and organizational aspects of the module will be provided, including an introduction to the research proposal to be developed throughout the module.

Session 1: Welcome to Class and Module Overview
Session 2: How to solve a problem with science

Week 2 - Basics of Social Science research

5 Oct

Throughout the second week of the module we will explore the basics of research, with a focus on social sciences research, including the cores of the scientific approach, the hypothetic-deductive method, the key distinction between ontology-epistemology-methodology, the main theoretical paradigms, and the difference between quantitative and qualitative methods.

Week 2 - Basics of Social Science Research
Session 2
Readings

Week 3 - The research question

14 Oct

his third week of the module we will focus on the role and conceptualization of research questions, aims and hypothesis. In doing so, we will explore issues such as the requirement of gaps of knowledge, the importance of the significance of our research questions, the role of the hypothetic-deductive and comparative methods, as well as possible challenges when formulating research questions. Furthermore, this week’s sessions will support students in the process of beginning to define the research question for their research proposal.

Week 3 - The research question - Description & Readings

Week 4 - Measurement in research

19 Oct

In this fourth week of the module we will cover key issues of measurement in research, including: concepts and constructs; the conceptualization, typology and operationalization of variables; the levels of measurement; the concept, types and size of the sample; and the matter of generalization. In connection with the former, we will also get introduced into the quantitative/qualitative debate.

Week 4 - Measurement in research - Description & Readings

Week 5: Quality and evaluation of research

26 Oct

This fifth week of the module we will go in depth into the issue of quality and evaluation of research by exploring the types of validity and the reliability of measures. Furthermore, we will discuss the different conceptualization and operationalization of validity and reliability criteria in quantitative and qualitative studies.

Quality and evaluation of research: validity and reliability
Session 2

Week 6 - Research design: towards a research proposal

2 Nov

Along the sixth week of the module we will discuss the practical processes and issues related to any research design. We will highlight the importance of selecting appropriate research questions, measurements and methods, as well as the process of conducting a targeted and comprehensive literature review. This will be addressed to support students in the elaboration of their research proposals.

Description of the week

Week 7- Qualitative research I: Foundations

16 Nov

This seventh week of the module will be the first of two weeks focused on qualitative research. This week we will approach the key features of qualitative research, such as its focus on meaning, subjectivity, natural settings, extensive interaction, reflexivity, purposeful sampling, naturalistic generalizations and flexible research designs. Likewise, we will explore the main traditions in qualitative research: ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory, life history and narrative, critical research, case study.

Week 7 - Qualitative research I: Foundations -Power Point & notes
paper

Week 8 - Qualitative research (II): data collection methods

23 Nov

In this eighth week of the module, and after the former introductory session on qualitative research, we will cover different ways of collecting qualitative data: interview, focus groups, observational methods, visual methods, media, vignettes and internet research. Likewise, we will point out the importance of developing rapport, reflection, empathy and trust when collecting qualitative data.

Week 8 – Qualitative research (II): data collection methods
Session 2

Week 9 - Quantitative Research I: Experimental and quasi-experimental designs

23 Nov

This ninth week of the module will be the first of two weeks focused on quantitative designs. This week we will comprehensively explore the principles and applications of experimental designs, as well as their utilities and limitations. Specifically, we will cover control-group designs, factorial designs and quasi-experimental designs.

Week 9 – Quantitative research (I)
session 2

Week 10 - Quantitative Research- Data Analysis

30 Nov
Week 10 - Quantitative research: data Analysis
Session 2

Week 11 - Qualitative Research:Data Analysis

7 Dec

In this eleventh week of the module we will approach the main types of qualitative analysis, such as thematic analysis, and the basic principles of working with qualitative data. As for the former, we will point out the key role of transcripts and we will approach the process of data coding, categorization, identification of patterns and elaboration of memos.

Week 11 – Qualitative data management and analysis.

Week 12 -Quantitative research III: Data analysis

14 Dec

This twelfth week of the module we will cover the basics of quantitative data management and analysis, introducing descriptive and inferential statistics and covering issues such as: measures of central tendency, measures of variation, confidence interval or correlation. SPSS software will be presented as a tool to carry out computer-assisted data analyses, such as tests of statistical significance.

Week 12 – Quantitative research II: Descriptive designs
Session2

Week 13 - Producing research reports

21 Sep

Along the thirteenth week of the module we will discuss the practical aspects of producing research reports. Specifically, we will cover the purpose of research reports, the rules and general points in scientific communication in social science, and the typical sections in quantitative and qualitative reports. Likewise, we will look at several examples of research reports, both students' and academics'.

Week 13 - Producing research reports

Week 14 -Quality and ethics of research

11 Jan

This fourteenth and last week of the module we will approach ethics in research. In doing so, we will discuss the use of participants' informed consent, issues such as deception and debriefing, participants' right to withdraw and the respect for their confidentiality, anonymity and privacy, and ethical standards to be considered when reporting research. Furthermore, we will specifically cover ethical issues in qualitative research.

Week 13 Quality and ethics of research - Description

Harvard reference style

11 Jan

Here you have the Harvard Reference Style guidelines.

Harvard reference style

Research Proposal

20 Sep

Here you can find all te information related with your research proposal

Research Topics and Supervisors
Ethics Form for your research
Examples of research proposal
Structure of the research proposal