This is an introductory, or survey module. It aims to provide graduate students with an understanding of the debates surrounding social science / humanities research so that they can provide critical rationales for the research logic and method/s adopted and applied in the research and writing-up of their dissertation. It takes as its foundation the succession of dominant paradigms in political science/international relations and the perception that, in political science at least, methodological pluralism is something that needs to be fought for. These debates are considered in the light of arguments about the presence/ absence of a Kuhnian paradigm in the social sciences.

On this foundation, the module introduces students to the two most commonly identified competing perspectives on the nature of knowledge and its generation. These perspectives, broadly ‘naturalist’ (or ‘positivist’) and ‘constructivist’ (or ‘interpretist’), are examined on the basis of Moses & Knutsen’s claim that these ‘methodologies’ assess differently the advantages and disadvantages of the four major methods used to generate and evaluate knowledge. The methods they identify are: case study, experiment, comparison (‘small n’ study), statistics (‘large n’ comparison). The module does not teach ‘methods’ in the sense of techniques, or specific tools of research.

On successful completion of the module a student will be able to:

·   demonstrate at least basic understanding of the foundational concepts epistemology, ontology, methodology, and their relationship to each other

·   demonstrate understanding of the debate regarding the existence or otherwise of a ‘Kuhnian’ type, scientific paradigm in the social sciences.

·   distinguish between four methods of generating knowledge: experiment; case study; comparison (‘small n’); and statistical (‘large n’);

·   understand the different ways these are used by ‘naturalists’ and ‘constructivists’ alike, and the different preference-ranking in their use, of ‘naturalists’ and ‘constructivists’;

How the module will be delivered

Weekly, 50 minute lectures, plus four fortnightly seminars, plus feedback from the mock part-exam. Readings for the first two seminars establish the foundational bases upon which the module is based. Readings are tailored to establishing the core parameters of the debates that the module and its assessment are rooted in. The readings are, in that sense, obligatory, as is attendance at classes, seminars and the mock exam. All students are expected to prepare for every class and seminar, and to contribute to seminar discussion which already constitutes exam preparation. The second two seminars are intended to assist students with their initial contact with the principal set text.

NB if new to British university study, or just ‘rusty’, do attend the Advanced Study seminars.

Skills that will be practised and developed

On completion of this module, a typical student will be able to demonstrate skills in the following areas

Knowledge and understanding: of the ‘naturalist’ and ‘constructivist’ approaches to knowledge, as well as of alternative typologies of approaches to knowledge; of the history of political science and/or international relations paradigms and the debate about the absence/existence of a Kuhnian paradigm, and of the research methods identified by Moses and Knutsen, including particularly the competing perceptions of their relative strengths and weaknesses.

Intellectual Skills: Conceptual analysis including the ability to synthesise and evaluate information and to use logic and empirical evidence to formulate and present rigorous arguments.

Practical and Transferrable Skills: Communication and reflection through participation in the seminars;            use of information and communications technology for the retrieval information; management of his/her own learning; gathering, organising and deploying evidence, data and information from a variety of sources;    working independently.

How the module will be assessed

Formative assessment, for feedback and exam preparation is provided via the mock exam scheduled in a lecture slot. Students are required to answer one question in 50 minutes. Feedback is provided before the Exam period begins.

Summative assessment is via unseen written examination. Candidates are required to answer three questions from eight in two hours. The exam is scheduled in January.

Questions address the learning outcomes specified by the module and students may demonstrate their ability to.

Syllabus content

Topics covered include:

·         Methodological “tool-boxes”

·         Perspectives: “methodology wars”; Kuhn and Feyerabend

·         Philosophy of the Natural Sciences

·         Constructivist Philosophy of Science

·         The Experimental Method  (“Positivist” and “constructivist” approaches)

·         The Case Study  (“Positivist” and “constructivist” approaches)

·         The Comparative/Small N Method  (“Positivist” and “constructivist” approaches)

·         The Statistical/Large-N Method  (“Positivist” and “constructivist” approaches)

Indicative Reading and Resource List:

Essential text for purchase

Moses, J.W. and T. L. Knutsen (2012). Ways of Knowing. Competitive Methodologies in Social and Political Research, 2^nd edition, London, Palgrave Macmillan.

Indicative Key readings

Della Porta, D & Keating, M. (2008). (eds) Approaches and Methodologies in the Social Sciences, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.

King, R. and Marian, C. (2008), ‘Defining Political Science: A Cross-National Survey’, European Political Science, 7, 2, pp. 207-219, esp. pp.212-16.

Marsh, D. and Savigny, H. (2004), ‘Political Science as a Broad Church: The Search for a Pluralist Discipline’,  Politics, 24, 3, pp.155-168.

Savigny, H. (2010). looking back to move forward: historicising the construction of disciplinary narratives in european political science and international relations, EPS (European Pol. Science), 9, 99-110.

Grix, J. (2002), Introducing Students to the Generic Terminology of Social Research, Politics, 22, 3: 175-186.

Marsh, D. and G. Stoker (2010). Introduction, in idem. (2010, 3^rd edition) (eds), Theory and Method in Political Science, London, Palgrave Macmillan.