Research Seminar

Master 2022/2023

Type: Compulsory course (Business and Politics in Modern Asia)

Area of studies: Asian and African Studies

Delivered by: Department of Political Science and International Affairs

Where: Saint-Petersburg School of Social Sciences

When: 1 year, 2, 3 module

Mode of studies: offline

Open to: students of one campus

Instructors: András Gál

Master’s programme: Business and Politics in Modern Asia

Language: English

ECTS credits: 3

Contact hours: 42

Full Syllabus Ask Question

Abstract

1 y. The course offers an introduction to the practice of social scientific research on a graduate level. Considering the interdisciplinary character of the MA program and the diverse background of the student body, the course aims to familiarize students with international standards of linking empirical and conceptual approaches, data-collection, academic writing, and communicating research results. The course comprises of three major parts. First (sessions 1-4 and 14-15), the formal and logistical sides of scholarly inquiry and academic writing are addressed. Second (sessions 5-13), students will be familiarized with major epistemic and methodological concepts and will receive an introduction to the major research design strategies in social sciences. Finally (sessions 16-21), students will present their term paper proposals, followed by a workshop-style discussion in the class. 2 y. The primary aim of the course is to facilitate the thesis writing process of second-year MA students, in three principal parts. First, core issues around academic writing are addressed, ranging from academic integrity to the clear and persuasive manner of communicating research results (sessions 1-5). Second, critical issues in thesis-writing projects, such as data collection, trade-offs in research design, or case selections strategies are discussed (sessions 6-12). Third, students will discuss their thesis projects in a workshop format (sessions 13-18).

Learning Objectives

The main goal of the research seminar is to teach research methodology, analysis and review methods, scientific literature, methods and means of professional presentation and special information.

Expected Learning Outcomes

becomes familiar with the essential features of academic publishing procedures
has a firm grasp on the essential practical guidelines of research design and planning
has avenues of applying research skills outside academia
is able to confidently mobilize external sources in their research, fully aware of the boundaries between sound academic writing and plagiarism or academic dishonesty
is able to effectively communicate their research results
identifies the essential genres of academic writing

Course Contents

The fundamental features of academic research and genres of academic writing
Research ethics and the use of supporting tools
Avoiding the “So what?” question: puzzles, problems and research questions
A practical guide to planning research: term papers, thesis outlines, PhD proposals
Ontology, epistemology, and methodology
Major research traditions
Inferential vs descriptive studies
Case study strategies
A quick guide to accommodating quantitative research in your design?
Qualitative data collection strategies
Set-theoretic methods
Process-tracing
Pluralistic traditions, mixed methods? Navigating between epistemic and methodological traditions
Communicating in academic contexts: presentations and conference discussions
The use of research skills in non-academic contexts
Term paper workshop 1
Term paper workshop 2
Term paper workshop 3
Term paper workshop 4
Term paper workshop 5
Term paper workshop 6
Position paper
Literature review
Presentation
Written exercises
The fundamental features of academic research and genres of academic writing (2nd year)
Avoiding the “So what?” question: puzzles, problems and research questions (2nd year)
A practical guide for thesis writing (2nd year)
Writing a PhD application (2nd year)
An introduction to the basics of academic publishing (2nd year)
Trade-offs and pitfalls (2nd year)
Essentials of quantitative research (2nd year)
Case selection strategies (2nd year)
Qualitative data collection: essentials (2nd year)
Qualitative data collection: workshop (2nd year)
Communicating in academic contexts: presentations and conference discussions (2nd year)
The use of research skills in non-academic contexts (2nd year)
MA thesis workshop 1 (2nd year)
MA thesis workshop 2 (2nd year)
MA thesis workshop 3 (2nd year)
MA thesis workshop 4 (2nd year)
MA thesis workshop 5 (2nd year)
MA thesis workshop 6 (2nd year)
Reaction paper (2nd year)
Literature review (2nd year)
Presentation (2nd year)
Written exercises (2nd year)

Assessment Elements

position paper
The position paper shall be a problem-based, argumentative text demonstrating the student’s capacity to identify academically relevant problems, finding avenues to tackle it, and communicating her/his arguments in a persuasive, transparent, and succinct manner. The position paper should also demonstrate the student’s firm understanding on the differences between epistemic and methodological traditions. The position paper’s extent shall not exceed 1,000 words, including foot/endnotes, excluding the bibliography.
literature review
The literature review should be a narrative text demonstrating the student’s ability to identify the relevant sources for her/his research, to identify various positions and debates in the relevant literature, and to situate her/his own research within these debates. The literature review’s extent shall not exceed 600 words, including foot/endnotes, excluding the bibliography.
research presentation
The research presentation should outline the core elements of the student’s term paper, focusing on the following elements: the research question and its academic justification; core methodological choices; key data; expected result and scholarly potential. The presentation should be between 10-15 minutes-long, and an opportunity for subsequent open discussion is provided following each presentation.
written exercises
The written tasks are short exercises, following up on specific aspects of a given class, e.g. discerning cases of academic dishonesty and plagiarism, transgressing boundaries in academic genres, etc. Depending on the discussions within the class sessions, 2-4 of these will be assigned throughout the semester, always touching upon specific practical matters
class participation
In the class participation component, the following qualities can result in a maximal grade: • frequency and concision of class participations • originality of class contribution • connection between preparation materials and class contributions • contribution to class discussion dynamics • participation in maintaining an inspiring class environment
exam
question essay (2y)
The research question essay should be a 400-600 words-long (including foot/endnotes, excluding bibliography) explication of the student’s central research question in her/his MA thesis, reflecting on its justification, academic relevance, and feasibility.
reaction paper (2y)
The reaction paper has to explicate how the methodological considerations introduced in one of the mandatory or optional – or mutually agreed – readings contributes to her/his MA thesis. The reactions paper should be 600-800 words-long, including foot/endnotes, excluding bibliography.
thesis presentation (2y)
The presentation should be a preliminary proposal on the student’s major research project within the program, the MA thesis. Beyond presenting their works, students will also have to comment on other research proposals in a constructive fashion.
discussing another thesis presentation (2y)
The presentation should be a preliminary proposal on the student’s major research project within the program, the MA thesis. Beyond presenting their works, students will also have to comment on other research proposals in a constructive fashion.
participation in the general class sessions (2y)
In both class participation components, the following qualities can result in a maximal grade: • frequency and concision of class participations • originality of class contribution • connection between preparation materials and class contributions • contribution to class discussion dynamics • participation in maintaining an inspiring class environment
participation in thesis workshop sessions (2y)
In both class participation components, the following qualities can result in a maximal grade: • frequency and concision of class participations • originality of class contribution • connection between preparation materials and class contributions • contribution to class discussion dynamics • participation in maintaining an inspiring class environment

Interim Assessment

2022/2023 3rd module
0.15 * position paper + 0.3 * research presentation + 0.1 * written exercises + 0.2 * exam + 0.15 * literature review + 0.1 * class participation
2023/2024 3rd module
0.3 * thesis presentation (2y) + 0.1 * participation in thesis workshop sessions (2y) + 0.1 * participation in the general class sessions (2y) + 0.1 * discussing another thesis presentation (2y) + 0.2 * reaction paper (2y) + 0.2 * question essay (2y)

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Bob Hancké. (2009). Intelligent Research Design : A Guide for Beginning Researchers in the Social Sciences. OUP Oxford.
King, G. (DE-588)135604311, (DE-627)568593324, (DE-576)166299405, aut. (1994). Designing social inquiry scientific inference in qualitative research Gary King; Robert O. Keohane; Sidney Verba.

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Eco, U., Farina, G., & Mongiat Farina, C. (2015). How to Write a Thesis. Cambridge, Massachusetts: The MIT Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=963778
Henry E. Brady, & David Collier. (2010). Rethinking Social Inquiry : Diverse Tools, Shared Standards: Vol. 2nd ed. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
Landman, T. (2008). Issues and Methods in Comparative Politics : An Introduction (Vol. 3rd ed). Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=222321
The Oxford handbook of political methodology / ed. by Janet Box-Steffensmeier . (2008). Oxford [u.a.]: Oxford Univ. Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.253060168

Authors

GAL ANDRASH Андраш

Course Syllabus