Checking date: 28/03/2022


Course: 2022/2023

Research in Progress
(19309)
Master in Social Sciences (Plan: 481 - Estudio: 325)
EPC


Coordinating teacher: FISHMAN , ROBERT MICHAEL

Department assigned to the subject: Social Sciences Department

Type: Compulsory
ECTS Credits: 4.0 ECTS

Course:
Semester:




Objectives
Core Competences Possess and understand knowledge that provides a basis or opportunity to be original in the development and/or application of ideas, often in a research context. Students know how to apply their acquired knowledge and problem-solving skills in new or unfamiliar settings within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their field of study. Students are able to integrate knowledge and face the complexity of making judgments based on incomplete or limited information that includes reflections on the social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge and judgments. Students know how to communicate their conclusions and knowledge, and the reasons behind them, to both specialised and non-specialised audiences in a clear and unambiguous way. Students possess the learning skills that will enable them to continue studying in a way that will be largely self-directed or autonomous. General Competencies To understand the main analytical tools from political science, sociology and economic history. To evaluate and compare different contributions to important social science debates from an analytical, methodological and empirical point of view. To plan and carry out an autonomous research programme in a specific field of the social sciences. To evaluate the internal logic of a scientific publication by examining the consistency between theory, analytical strategy, indicators, results and conclusions. To understand and know how to synthesize the main theories into one or more contemporary debates in the social sciences. To develop a scientific argument with clarity and precision. To know how to apply advanced quantitative techniques in specific research projects. To develop a research design that allows general hypotheses to be tested. Specific Competences To seek, analyse and understand the properties of quantitative data associated with the study of social phenomena. To operate with quantitative research data: master quantitative data analysis tools to apply them in the research process. To apply formal models in the study of strategic decisions, negotiation and delegation processes and collective action phenomena. Learning outcomes Understand the axial principles of the logic of scientific research Master the difference between forgery, confirmation and contrast Know the different research designs: variable-based, case-based, comparative Understand the techniques to combine different research designs Familiarity with different types of scientific evidence Analyze scientific writing techniques Design a specific research project Implement a research project To know how to evaluate collectively analytical strategies and scientific results To know the main qualitative research techniques Understand the logic of experiments Know the principles of content analysis Familiarity with big data methods
Skills and learning outcomes
Description of contents: programme
Analytical strategies Applied social science research Planning and presentation of a research project Designing strategies ro implement a research project Collective discussion of analytical strategies and results
Learning activities and methodology
TRAINING ACTIVITIES Theoretical class Practical classes Tutorials Individual student work TEACHING METHODS Presentations in the professor¿s lecture room with computer and audiovisual support, in which the main concepts of the subject are developed and the bibliography is provided to complement the students' learning. Critical reading of texts recommended by the subject teacher: Reports, manuals and/or academic articles, either for later discussion in class, or to expand and consolidate the knowledge of the subject. Resolution of practical cases, problems, etc. related to the development of a research project. Presentations and discussion in class, under the moderation of the professor, of the initial design of the students' research topics. Developing works and reports individually or in group.
Assessment System
  • % end-of-term-examination 100
  • % of continuous assessment (assigments, laboratory, practicals...) 0

Basic Bibliography
  • Baglione, Lisa A.. Writing a Research Paper in POolitical Science. Sage. 2016
  • Brady, Henry and David Collier. Rethinking Social Inquiry. Rowman and Littlefield. 2010
  • Bryman, A.. Social Research Methods. Oxford. 2012
  • McCloskey, Deidre. Economical Writing. Waveland Press. 2000
  • Ragin, Charles. Reedesigning Social Inquiry: Fuzzy Sets and Beyond. Chicago. 2008

The course syllabus may change due academic events or other reasons.