This module is designed to familiarise students with alternative approaches to the conduct of research in social sciences. By providing a series of introductory lectures on alternative research methodologies and approaches, the main aim of this course is to give students a comprehensive understanding of key issues surrounding the logic of explanation and research design, in order to facilitate and support more advanced study in their own area of research specialism and dissertation study. A key element of this module will be problem-based learning and case work. Students will be encouraged to use their own disciplinary strengths to create their own case studies that will be used to identify and develop more general disciplinary research methods and strategies. The module is not an additional research methods module for MA programmes. The proposed module is a 12 ects module to replace two existing research methods modules - IL5031 Research Methods (9ects) and PO5081 Academic and Transferrable Skills (3 ects).

This module will develop a series of key skills including: developing a research question; selecting and justifying an appropriate research strategy; locating secondary sources using library search facilities; and using a number of specific methodologies. Finally, the course is an essential part of the students preparation for their MA dissertations, whereby students will use their own potential MA dissertation topics to develop appropriate research methods and strategies for investigation.

Describe and employ some of the different theories and research methods used by political scientists. Match theoretical frameworks to empirical problems and alternative explanations for political outcomes. Classify alternative variables to create typologies for explanation of political events. Evaluate the research findings of others in light of their method and approach. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of one theoretical or methodological approach over another. Solve basic puzzles of research design and execution. Draw conclusions about main explanations for political events. Identify values implicit in alternative political behaviours and approaches.

Combine variety of insights to analysis of issues. Relate different methodological and/or theoretical approaches to the explanation of political outcomes. Understand how different methodological approaches impact upon the research orientation and question framing.

Experience has shown that students typically engage with the content of research methods much later than they do with their other modules. Research methods are often treated as some irritating extra burden - not the central attraction of the subject that students come to study. It is usually much later in the MA programme, as students begin their dissertation work and confront the practical problems associated with academic explanation and proofs that the real significance of much of the content of research methods becomes clear. This new module has been designed with this in mind. From the beginning, students are presented with a series of small tasks that must be completed for discussion during class time - thus obliging students to engage with the material earlier and giving them an opportunity for feedback and discussion about their learning. It is for this reason that the credit weighting has been increased to 12 ECTS (from 9) to accommodate additional group work and feedback sessions that will unfold DURING the module, not following an end of term assessment. In thisIn this manner the module will strive to achieve student's practical engagement and constructive collaboration in the exercise of co-learning.