BMET 22A20 - Research methods in Political Science: mixed methods for the study of political elites

This course offers students the methodological foundations to undertake research related to the study of political elites or any other relevant group using secondary data. The course also allows the student to get acquainted with the production of primary data. The approach is multimethodological, and it will focus on the study of political elites. All the sessions will include a lecture, but they can also include practical sessions using computers. The first six sessions are devoted to qualitative methodologies, while the following six deal with more quantitave approaches to research in political science. The sessions are designed for students who have no prior knowledge and/or background in data analysis or research methods. Each session includes one reading that the students will find useful to prepare for the lecture

Carles PAMIES

Atelier

English

Spring 2022-2023

To validate the course, the student is expected to pass the following assignments 1º) 1 x individual short written assignment (worth 33% of the mark) of up to 2,000 words based on data analysis homework that will be handed in on week 9; 2°) 1 x group seminar presentation (15 min) worth 33% of the mark, between weeks 3 and 12. Students must work with their group on a topic of their choice related to political elites. They can choose between a proposal for a research study of their choice, or an analysisusing secondary quantitative data. The students need to present their findings during the seminar in the allocated week; 3º) 1 x final ‘take-home' exam (to be submitted within 72 hours) related to the design of a research project

At the end of the course, the student is expected to: 1°) Have a comprehensive grasp of research methodologies in Political Science, both in theoretical and in practical terms; 2°) Be well acquainted with the different literature devoted to research methods in social sciences; 3°) Demonstrate the ability to elaborate political analyses based on the use of different data. Class sessions will be a combination of traditional lectures and seminar-style discussions, with student participation regularly solicited.