Delivered at:: Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs

Course type:: Compulsory course

When:: 3 year, 1-3 module

Instructors

Bocharova, Alexandra

Vershinin, Ignat

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Abstract

This research seminar aims to familiarize students with relevant approaches to and tools for academic research in International Relations and Public Policy Studies. The seminar focuses on major scholarly discussions on logics of inquiry and key research methods in the relevant fields. The course scrutinizes various methodological paradigms and methods used for research on specific topics. It encourages students to reflect on how they conceptualise and analyse issues pertinent to international relations and public policy. This involves exploring the relationship between theory and empirical research with particular emphasis on the collection/production and analysis of data. The research seminar considers practical methodological strategies that will aid students to design their own research (term papers) with a proper fit between research questions and methods. Moreover, the course will consider machine learning techniques that could be used for academic research on key issues in international relations and public policy, including decision trees, gradient boosting, neural networks, etc. The course will also offer ready-made AI tools, developed using machine learning methods and neural networks, to collect and analyse relevant literature.

Learning Objectives

1. To provide students with a comprehensive understanding of research methodologies used in International relations and Public policy.
2. To develop students' skills in designing, conducting, and validating research by teaching them how to formulate research questions, select appropriate methodologies, collect and analyze data, assess the validity and reliability of their findings, and apply ethical standards throughout the research process.
3. To prepare students for advanced research projects or theses in their academic and professional careers by equipping them with the necessary skills to design robust research proposals, conduct comprehensive literature reviews, apply appropriate research methodologies, analyze data effectively, adhere to ethical standards, and present their findings clearly and persuasively.
4. To familiarize students with advanced research tools and technologies by introducing them to software for statistical analysis, qualitative data analysis, reference management, survey design, data visualization

Expected Learning Outcomes

Students will learn to apply key principles such as objectivity and replicability to design and conduct their own research
They will also learn to critically evaluate and apply different theoretical approaches to their own research projects, enhancing their analytical skills and the quality of their research. Additionally, the seminar will provide practical knowledge through case studies, allowing participants to see how theories are applied in real-world policy and international relations contexts.
The results of the seminar will be a comprehensive understanding of different research methodologies and the ability to select the most suitable approach for various research contexts. Participants will gain practical knowledge on how to design and implement qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research, enhancing their overall research skills.
The results of the seminar will be a deeper understanding of these methodological strategies and the ability to choose and apply the most appropriate one for specific research projects. Participants will develop skills in designing and conducting research using these methods, improving the rigor and relevance of their work.
The results of the seminar will be a comprehensive understanding of various research project types and the ability to design and execute effective research studies. Participants will gain insights into how to choose the right research approach for different questions and contexts, enhancing their analytical and methodological skills.
The results of the seminar will be a deeper understanding of these intellectual shifts and their impact on the study of IR and PP. Participants will learn how these turns have shaped contemporary research paradigms and will be able to critically engage with and apply these perspectives in their own research projects.
The results of the seminar will be a comprehensive understanding of these qualitative methods and the ability to effectively choose and apply them in research. Participants will develop skills in designing and conducting qualitative research, enhancing their ability to gather and analyze rich, detailed data for complex social phenomena.
The results of the seminar will be a thorough understanding of textual analysis techniques and their relevance to qualitative research. Participants will learn how to apply these methods to examine language, meaning, and context within texts, enhancing their analytical skills and ability to draw insights from qualitative data.
The results of the seminar will be a solid understanding of these quantitative methods and their implementation. Participants will acquire skills to design and execute quantitative research effectively, enabling them to collect and analyze data systematically and draw meaningful conclusions from their findings.
The results of the seminar will be an understanding of how to leverage AI tools effectively in academic research, awareness of ethical considerations, and practical skills for applying AI in writing and research tasks. Participants will learn to use AI to enhance literature searches, streamline writing processes, and critically engage with AI’s impact on their work.

Course Contents

Introduction to the main philosophy, principles, and methods of scientific research
Approaches to Theory in Research
Methodological Choice
Methodological Strategies
Types of Research Projects
“Turns” in Research of IR and PP
Core Qualitative Methods
Textual Analyses
Core Quantitative Methods
The Use of AI in Academic Research

Assessment Elements

Attendance
Seminar Work
Methods in practice
Research Project Presentation
Design of the Term Paper

Interim Assessment

2024/2025 1st module
0.25 * Attendance + 0.25 * Design of the Term Paper + 0.25 * Methods in practice + 0.25 * Seminar Work
2024/2025 3rd module
0.2 Seminar Work; 0.2 Methods in practice; 0.2 Research Project Presentation; 0.2 Design of the Term Paper; 0.2 Attendance

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

9788132222149 - Hegde, Dinesh S. - Essays on Research Methodology - 2015 - Springer - https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=1001250 - nlebk - 1001250
A student's guide to methodology : justifying enquiry, Clough, P., 2003

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Action research methods : plain and simple, , 2012

Authors

Korneev Oleg Vladimirovich
BOCHAROVA ALEKSANDRA PAVLOVNA
Vershinin Ignat Nikolaevich

Bachelor’s Programme 'International Programme 'International Relations and Global Studies''

Address

Research Seminar "Logic of Inquiry and Key Research Methods in International Relations and Public Policy"