COURSE OUTLINE AND READING LIST FOR POLI 343: INTODUCTION TO POLITICAL RESEARCH

University of Ghana

Department of Political Science

First Semester, 2014/2015 Academic Year

Lecturer: Dr. Isaac Owusu-Mensah

Course Title	Introduction to Political Research
Course Code	Poli 343
Purpose and Objectives	The course is intended to introduce students to philosophies underpinning social science research. The purpose of this course is to give students a firm grounding in the fundamentals of political research and to familiarize students with a range of typical research designs and processes in political science. Consequently, students will be provided with the core foundation of research and skills that can be applied in an academic setting or work. OBJECTIVES: ·         To provide an introduction to different theories of and approaches to carrying out social research with specific emphasis on political research methodology. ·         To understand the philosophy and logic underlying social science research. ·         To appreciate the principles that guide design and evaluation of social science research. ·         To be confident in applying appropriate research methods to answer social and political issues.
Week No.	Date	Lecture Course	Tutorials	Venue	Assessment
1	09th  and 11th September 2014	Introduction to course a.       Administrative elements of the course/Course structure b.      What is and what is not a research.		Lecture: CC and JQB 14
2	16th  and 18th September, 2014	Political Research Types and features of good research		Lecture: NNB 2 and JQB 14
3	23rd  and 25th September 2014	a.       Purpose and use of research b.      Tools of research		Lecture: NNB 2 and JQB 14
4	30th  September and 2nd October 2014	Sources of Knowledge		Lecture: NNB 2 and JQB 14
5	7th and 9th October 2014	Scientific Knowledge Process		Lecture: NNB 2 and JQB 14
6	14th and 16th October, 2014	Methods and Methodologies Qualitative Research		Lecture: NNB 2 and JQB 14
7	21st and 23rd  October 2014	Methods and Methodologies Quantitative Research		Lecture: NNB 2 and JQB 14	Interim Assessment (30%)
8	28th and 30th October, 2014	Methods and Methodologies Mixed Methods		Lecture: NNB 2 and JQB 14
9	4th and 6th November 2014	Introduction The significance and use in various research designs: a.       Quantitative b.      Qualitative c.       Mixed Methods		Lecture: NNB 2 and JQB 14
10	11th and 13th  November, 2014	Statement of the Problem in Research Designing and defining a research question		Lecture: NNB 2 and JQB 14
11	18th to 20th  November, 2014	Hypotheses The significance and use of hypothesis in various research designs: d.      Quantitative e.      Qualitative f.        Mixed Methods		Lecture: NNB 2 and JQB 14
12	25th to 27th November, 2014	Theory The significance and use of theory in various research designs: a.       Quantitative b.      Qualitative c.       Mixed Methods Types of theories Levels of theory		Lecture: NNB 2 and JQB 14
13	2nd and 4th December 2014	Revision	Revision	Lecture: NNB 2 and JQB 14
15 - 16	Exam (70%)

KEY Reference Texts: 

1.       Leedy, P. D and Ormrod, J. E. (2010).  Practical Research: Planning and Design. Ninth Edition.  New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc. pp: 1-7.

2.       Kreuger L. W and Lawrence Neuman, W (2003).  Social Work Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Applications.  Boston: Pearson Education Inc. pp. 11-16 (Steps of the Research Process)

3.       Creswell, J.W (2009).  Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches. Third Edition.  London: Sage Publishing Inc. Chapter One: The Selection of Research Design pp 1-20

4.       Dawson, C (2011).  Introduction to Research Methods: A practical guide to anyone undertaking a research project.  Oxford: How To Books Ltd pp. 1-8

5.       May, T (2010).  Social Research: Issues, Methods and Process.  New York: Open University Press. Chapter One: Perspective on Social scientific research pp. 7-27.

6.       Wolfer, L (2007).  Real Research: Conducting and Evaluating Research in the Social Sciences.  Boston: Pearson Education Inc.  pp 13-18.

7.       Blaikie, Norman (2010).  Designing Social Research: The Logic of Anticipation. Second Edition.  Cambridge: Polity Press. pp. 124-147

8.       Punch, K.F (2005).  Introduction to Social Research: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches.  Second Edition.  London: Sage Publications Ltd.   pp. 37-39