DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

UNIVERSITY OF GHANA

PhD PROGRAMME IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

FIRST SEMESTER, 2022-2023 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

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• 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.

3

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.

4

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.

5

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.

6

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 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

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(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.