DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE 

UNIVERSITY OF GHANA

 

PhD PROGRAMME IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

 

FIRST SEMESTER, 2021-2022 ACADEMIC YEAR

 

TIME: MONDAY, 8 AM – 10 AM

 

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.

 

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                                                                                 25%

Term paper of 2,500 words on student’s choice of topic                                           25%

Written Examination (2,500 words on each question)                                                50%

Total                                                                                                                100

 

 

 

 

COURSE TOPICS AND READINGS

 

WEEKS 1 & 2

 

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, 4^th 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. 2^nd edn. New York: Longman.

 

WEEK 3

 

2. Research Design

 

Creswell, J.W. and Poth, C.N. (2018).  Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches, 4^th 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. 2^nd edn. New York: Longman.

 

WEEK 4

 

3. Research Methodology

 

Creswell, J.W. and Poth, C.N. (2018).  Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches, 4^th 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. 2^nd edn. New York: Longman.

 

WEEK 5

 

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, 4^th 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. 2^nd edn. New York: Longman.

 

WEEK 6

 

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. 2^nd edn. New York: Longman.

 

WEEK 7

 

6. Mixed Method Research

 

Creswell, J.W. and Poth, C.N. (2018).  Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches, 4^th 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. 2^nd edn. New York: Longman.

WEEK 8

 

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, 4^th 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.

 

WEEKS 9 & 10

 

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, 4^th 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. 2^nd edn. New York: Longman.

 

 

 

 

WEEK 11

 

9. Ethical Considerations in Research

 

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

 

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

 

WEEKS 12 & 13

 

10. Citation of references in research & wrap up

 

Various citation formats such as the following:

 

 (i) American Psychological Association (APA); (ii) Harvard; and (iii) Chicago Style formats.

 

 

 

 

SEMINAR TOPICS

 

 

(1)                         Why is research important in Political Science? What are the challenges and prospects of research in Political Science in the 21^st 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.

 

(9)                         Discuss the ethical dilemmas the face researchers in Ghana.

 

(10)                    Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the sampling techniques with which you are familiar. Give examples to illustrate your points.

 

(11)                    Examine the mixed methods approach for conducting research.

 

(12)                    Discuss the similarities and differences between qualitative and quantitative research. Give examples to illustrate your points.