POS 240 Social Science Research Methods

In this course, students will learn to design research while using a variety of research methods, theories and concepts. Students will familiarize themselves with all phases of a research project, including philosophy of the research, its design and conduct, the collection, categorization, operationalization and analysis of research data and their evaluation.

You will be asked to work individually and in teams in order to demonstrate your facility with theories and their appropriate use, as well as to hone your research, public presentation and writing skills. Papers and presentations are treated as pedagogical exercises to augment your learning in the course.

Emphasis will be placed on an understanding of a research and the researcher's role. The course is a combination of a lecture and a seminar. The presentation of the material will be followed by discussions of the relevant empirical and theoretical studies.

*New course code is effective as of Summer 2015. Old course code for this course was POL 290.