YRM-10306 Research Methods in the Social Sciences

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

Dutch

Contents:

The goal of the course is that students learn to develop a research proposal for a fundamental or practical scientific research project. Starting from a practical problem that needs to be solved, the student first learns to design an appropriate research objective and appropriate research questions. Then students learn to set up the research project according to the following research strategies: the experiment, the survey and the case study. By the end of the course students will be able to hand in a complete, detailed and feasible research project.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course students are able to:
- develop a conceptual research design; including an adequate research objective, a research issue and an operationalization for abstract concepts;
- develop a technical research design; including an adequate argumentation for a chosen research strategy and drafting a plan for data generation and data analysis;
- critically assess research proposals made by themselves or by others.

Activities:

- lectures;
- workshops;
- home assignments;
- studying of literature.

Examination:

- written exam with closed questions (50%);
- research proposal (50%).
To pass both components require at least a 5.50.

Literature:

Boeije, H.R; Hox, J.J., 't Hart, H. (2009). Onderzoeksmethoden. Den Haag: Boom Lemma.