POLI 703- PhD COURSE OUTLINE AND READING LIST FOR 2018/2019 ACADEMIC YEAR

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

          UNIVERSITY OF GHANA

                            PhD PROGRAMME IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

          FIRST SEMESTER, 2018-2019

                    POLI 703: RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY

COURSE OUTLINE AND READINGS

                                                                                                      Lecturer: Prof. Joseph R.A. Ayee

1. Course Description                                          

This course provides students with a strong foundation in the conceptualisation and operationalisation of research, how to design a research project and 'hands-on' skills in the utilisation of different research methods. Students will be exposed to a wide range of research methods and will learn key principles of research design. Topics to be covered in detail include sampling, surveying, interviewing, case study analysis, focus groups, interviewing and analysing and presenting data. Intellectual and methodological debates will be discussed in order to assist students to develop informed opinions and a critical appreciation for other's research. The imperative for ethical research practice will be presented. Students will be equipped with the knowledge and ability to undertake methodologically sound, original research projects and will develop a set of transferable workplace skills.

2. Learning Objectives

The learning objectives of the course are at three levels, namely, knowledge, skills and behaviour.

3. Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course therefore, participants will be able to:

•                      • Define research, qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research, research design and research methodology.

•                      • Explain the difference between descriptive and explanatory research.

•                      • Explain the difference between (i) narrative research; (ii) phenomenological research; (iii) grounded theory research; (iv) ethnographic research; and (v) case study research.

•                      • Design a research proposal: (i) introduction; (ii) statement of the problem; (iii) research objectives/research questions; (iv) hypothesis/hypotheses; (v) literature review; (vi) theoretical framework; (vii) methodology; (viii) significance of the study; (ix) limitations; (x) organization of the study

•                      • Cite references using the (i) American Psychological Association (APA); (ii) Harvard; and (iii) Chicago Style formats.

4. Instructional Methodology

This class will use a seminar/workshop format and will meet for three hours once a week. It will comprise a combination of lectures, discussions, student presentations and term papers.

5. Evaluation

Seminar presentation by student 15%

Term paper of 15 pages on student’s choice of topic 15%

Written Examination 70%

Total 100

COURSE TOPICS AND READINGS

1. The nature and scope of research: definition of research; various types of research: qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research; descriptive and explanatory research

Creswell, J.W. and Poth, C.N. (2018). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches, 4th ed. Los Angeles/London: Sage Publications.

Creswell, John (2009). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches. London: Sage.

Twumasi, P. A. (1986). Social Research in Rural Communities. Accra: Ghana Universities Press.

Kumekpor, T (1999). Research Methods and Techniques of Social Research. Accra: SonLife.

Babbie, E. (2010). The Practice of Social Research. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Burnham, P., Gilland, K. Grant, W. and Layton-Henry (2004). Research Methods in Politics. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

Box‐Steffenmeier, J., Brady, H.E., Collier, D. (2008). The Oxford Handbook of Political Methodology. Oxford: Oxford University.

O’Sullivan, Elizabethann and Rassel, Gary (1995). Research Methods for Public Administrators. 2nd edn. New York: Longman.

2. Research Design

Creswell, J.W. and Poth, C.N. (2018). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches, 4th ed. Los Angeles/London: Sage Publications. 3

Creswell, John (2009). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches. London: Sage.

Twumasi, P. A. (1986). Social Research in Rural Communities. Accra: Ghana Universities Press.

Kumekpor, T (1999). Research Methods and Techniques of Social Research. Accra: SonLife.

Babbie, E. (2010). The Practice of Social Research. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Burnham, P., Gilland, K. Grant, W. and Layton-Henry (2004). Research Methods in Politics. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

Box‐Steffenmeier, J., Brady, H.E., Collier, D. (2008). The Oxford Handbook of Political Methodology. Oxford: Oxford University.

O’Sullivan, Elizabethann and Rassel, Gary (1995). Research Methods for Public Administrators. 2nd edn. New York: Longman.

3. Research Methodology

Creswell, J.W. and Poth, C.N. (2018). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches, 4th ed. Los Angeles/London: Sage Publications.

Creswell, John (2009). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches. London: Sage.

Twumasi, P. A. (1986). Social Research in Rural Communities. Accra: Ghana Universities Press.

Kumekpor, T (1999). Research Methods and Techniques of Social Research. Accra: SonLife.

Babbie, E. (2010). The Practice of Social Research. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Burnham, P., Gilland, K. Grant, W. and Layton-Henry (2004). Research Methods in Politics. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

Box‐Steffenmeier, J., Brady, H.E., Collier, D. (2008). The Oxford Handbook of Political Methodology. Oxford: Oxford University.

O’Sullivan, Elizabethann and Rassel, Gary (1995). Research Methods for Public Administrators. 2nd edn. New York: Longman. 4

4. Designing Qualitative Research: (i) narrative research; (ii) phenomenological research; (iii) grounded theory research; (iv) ethnographic research; (v) case study research

Creswell, J.W. and Poth, C.N. (2018). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches, 4th ed. Los Angeles/London: Sage Publications.

Creswell, John (2009) Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches. London: Sage.

O’Sullivan, Elizabethann and Rassel, Gary (1995). Research Methods for Public Administrators. 2nd edn. New York: Longman.

5. Designing Quantitative Research: (i) observational studies; (ii) correlational research; (iii) survey research (two types: (a) cross-sectional; (b) longitudinal (cohort and panel studies)); hypothesis testing; independent, dependent and extraneous variables; quantitative data analysis – the mean, standard deviation and correlation coefficients

Martin, W.E. and Bridgmon, Krista (2012). Quantitative and Statistical Research Methods: From Hypothesis to Results. San Francisco: Wiley.

Creswell, John (2009). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches. London: Sage.

O’Sullivan, Elizabethann and Rassel, Gary (1995). Research Methods for Public Administrators. 2nd edn. New York: Longman.

6. Mixed Method Research

Creswell, J.W. and Poth, C.N. (2018). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches, 4th ed. Los Angeles/London: Sage Publications.

Creswell, John (2009). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches. London: Sage.

O’Sullivan, Elizabethann and Rassel, Gary (1995). Research Methods for Public Administrators. 2nd edn. New York: Longman.

7. Sampling: sample, population/universe, units of analysis, parameter, sample designs – (i) probability samples; (ii) simple random sampling; (iii) systematic sampling; (iv) stratified sampling; and (v) cluster sampling

Creswell, J.W. and Poth, C.N. (2018). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches, 4th ed. Los Angeles/London: Sage Publications. 5

Creswell, John (2009). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches. London: Sage.

Twumasi, P. A. (1986). Social Research in Rural Communities. Accra: Ghana Universities Press.

8. Writing a research proposal: (i) introduction; (ii) statement of the problem; (iii) research objectives/research questions; (iv) hypothesis/hypotheses; (v) literature review; (vi) theoretical framework; (vii) methodology; (viii) significance of the study; (ix) limitations; (x) organization of the study; (x) timeline for activities; (xi) budget

Creswell, J.W. and Poth, C.N. (2018). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches, 4th ed. Los Angeles/London: Sage Publications.

Creswell, John (2009). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches. London: Sage.

Twumasi, P. A. (1986). Social Research in Rural Communities. Accra: Ghana Universities Press.

Kumekpor, T (1999). Research Methods and Techniques of Social Research. Accra: SonLife.

Babbie, E. (2010). The Practice of Social Research. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Burnham, P., Gilland, K. Grant, W. and Layton-Henry (2004). Research Methods in Politics. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

Box‐Steffenmeier, J., Brady, H.E., Collier, D. (2008). The Oxford Handbook of Political Methodology. Oxford: Oxford University.

O’Sullivan, Elizabethann and Rassel, Gary (1995). Research Methods for Public Administrators. 2nd edn. New York: Longman.

9. Ethical Considerations in Research

Creswell, J.W. and Poth, C.N. (2018). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches, 4th ed. Los Angeles/London: Sage Publications.

O’Sullivan, Elizabethann and Rassel, Gary (1995). Research Methods for Public Administrators. 2nd edn. New York: Longman.

10. Citation of references in research: (i) American Psychological Association (APA); (ii) Harvard; and (iii) Chicago Style formats.