UNIVERSITY OF GHANA
PhD PROGRAMME IN POLITICAL
SCIENCE
FIRST SEMESTER, 2019-2020
POLI 703: RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
COURSE OUTLINE AND READINGS
Lecturer: Prof. Joseph Atsu 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.
1
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.
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5. Evaluation
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|
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Seminar
presentation by student
|
15%
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|
Term
paper of 15 pages on student’s choice of topic
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15%
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Written
Examination
|
70%
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Total
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100
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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.
2
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.
3
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 sampling; (a) simple random sampling; (b)
systematic sampling; (c) stratified sampling; and (d) cluster sampling; (ii)
non-probability sampling – (a) accidental; (b) purposive; (c) quota
Creswell, J.W. and Poth, C.N.
(2018). Qualitative Inquiry and Research
Design: Choosing Among
Five Approaches, 4th ed. Los Angeles/London: Sage
Publications.
4
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.
5
(1) Why is research important in Political Science? What are the challenges
and prospects of research in Political Science in the 21st Century? Give examples to illustrate
your points.
(2) Compare
and contrast research design and research methodology.
(3) Comment on the view that the “research onion” is only a guide and therefore
not cast in stone to researchers.
(4) What are the strengths and weaknesses of Ghanaian research integrity?
How can the weaknesses be addressed? Illustrate your answer with examples.
(5) You have received a grant from a Ghanaian company to undertake research
into service delivery in a Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies
(MMDAs) of your choice. Discuss how you will conduct the research for
reliability, applicability and value-for-money.
(6) Write a proposal to seek funding from a development partner for a
project of your choice in Ghana.
(7) Write a review of the co-authored book of Diana Kapiszewski, Lauren
MacLean and Benjamin Read on Field
Research in Political Science: Principles
and Practices.
(8) Why is research generally difficult to undertake in Ghana? Suggest ways
of addressing the difficulty.
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