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Knowledge: K-2. Knowledge of the scientific research method and its application in Social Sciences. K-3. Advanced knowledge of the method of production and communication of a research paper (organization, structure, academic writing process, presentation, and publication). K-4. Knowledge of comparative analysis and historical analysis applied in major scientific contributions in Social Sciences. K-5. Knowledge of the internal logic of a scientific publication, examining the clarity of exposition, as well as the consistency between theory, analytical strategy, indicators, results, and conclusions. Skills: S-2. Ability to plan a research program to test general hypotheses. S-3. Ability to plan, produce, and communicate scientific output to both specialized and non-specialized audiences in a clear manner. S-4. Ability to select and apply the method of comparison or historical analysis for the study of a political, economic, or social phenomenon. S-5. Skill in organizing and expressing ideas clearly and unambiguously, and in supporting theoretical arguments on a topic through a critical analysis of the literature. Competencies: C-2. Ability to develop a complete research design independently based on a research question in some field of social sciences. C-3. Ability to produce a research work that contains an original theoretical and empirical contribution and to defend it in a public event before a tribunal. C-4. Ability to select cases and apply the comparative method and/or historical analysis when providing an empirical response to a research question within the framework of applied or academic research. C-5. Ability to identify the strengths and weaknesses of scientific publications in an area of study and to justify the advancement in the knowledge frontier that is intended to be achieved in the research project.

This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of research design in social sciences. Its purpose is to provide students with a global and comprehensive view of the research process, to train them with the elemental skills of applied research to pursuit rigorous, independent work, and to become them more sophisticated consumers of empirical research. The course will cover a range of topics, starting from the formulation of research topics and research questions, the development of theoretical arguments and testable hypotheses, the study of causality, an overview of basic qualitative and quantitative data analysis techniques plus other issues related with research design such as measurement, descriptive and statistical inference, mediation analysis or how to write a good research paper. 1. Introduction to Research Design: the scientific logic of social science research, and why thinking about designs is very important for applied research. 2. Research Topics and Research Questions. From research topics to research questions. What is and what is not a good research question? Types of research questions. Where do research questions come from? 3. The Art of Theory Building. What is a theory? Where do theories come from? Developing explanatory theory. Formal theory in social science. From questions to theory to hypothesis. Causal mechanism and scope conditions. What makes a good theory? 4. Conceptualizaation, Operationalization and Measurement. Concepts and Conceptualization. Operationalization. Why measurement mattes. Problems in measuring concepts. 5. Choosing a Design. Which research design fit your question. Types of hypotheses. Similarities and differences in Quantitative and Qualitative methods. Overview of techniques. 6. Causality and Experimental Designs. Causation: What is it and what is it good for? Causal claims as a thinking skill. The fundamental problem of causal inference. Potential outcomes and counterfactuals. Experimental studies. Natural experiments. 7. Quantitative / Large-N Designs. The logic of Large-N research. Key elements in a Large-N design. Common designs for causal inference. Identification strategies in observational studies. Estimating causal effects. Assessing mechanisms. Mediation analysis. Intermediate outcomes. 8. Qualitative / Small-N Designs. Small-N comparative research. Necessary and sufficient conditions. 9. Single-Case study and Mixed Designs. Uses of single-case designs. Mixed and nested designs: a pragmatic approach to social sciences research.

Training Activities: AF2 - Practical class AF3 - Theoretical-practical class AF5 - Tutoring: the possibility of establishing weekly meetings with the professor teaching the subject. AF6 - Individual student work. Teaching Methodologies: MD3 - Resolution of practical cases, problems, etc., posed by the professor individually or in groups. MD4 - Presentation and discussion in class, moderated by the professor, on topics related to the content of the subject, as well as practical cases. MD5 - Preparation of individual or group papers and reports.