Last modified: 10 Oct 2025 11:16
Research methods and techniques are fundamental to the study of Politics and International Relations. In addition, they are highly desired by employers. This course will introduce students to a number of different research techniques which they will use throughout their studies at Honours and in particular their Honours dissertation. Moreover, they will also constitute a significant part of their graduate attributes.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | First Term | Credit Points | 30 credits (15 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Offshore | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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One or more of these courses have a limited number of places. Priority access will be given to students for whom this course is compulsory. Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions for more details on this process.
Course Aims
This course will introduce students to a wide variety of research techniques which will be utilized at honours level in both Politics and International Relations. Students will become proficient in the areas of Quantitative Methods, Qualitative Methods, discourse analysis, archival research and interview techniques. This will allow students to formulate and produce an individual research project proposal.
Main Learning Outcomes
A proficiency in the areas of Quantitative Methods, Qualitative Methods, discourse analysis, archival research and interview techniques. An ability to formulate and produce an individual research project proposal.
Course Content
Each of the methods detailed below will be examined in turn:
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 19,20 | Feedback Weeks | 25 | |
| Feedback | ||||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Understand the historical evolution of international security as the primary sub-field of International Relations, particularly since the end of the Cold War. |
| Procedural | Analyse | Analyse the specific ways governments and international organisation manage, or fail to manage, contemporary international security problems. |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Evaluate the main causes of, and potential solutions, to major international security threats, in terms of traditional and new (or human security) challenges. |
| Reflection | Evaluate | Critically evaluate the work of leading experts in the field of international security, and apply that evaluation to one’s own research agenda. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 15 | Feedback Weeks | 18 | |
| Feedback |
Written feedback will be provided for continuous assessment work. This will normally be provided within three weeks of the submission date. Email feedback on class presentations will also be provided where appropriate. |
Word Count | 3000 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Understand the historical evolution of international security as the primary sub-field of International Relations, particularly since the end of the Cold War. |
| Procedural | Analyse | Analyse the specific ways governments and international organisation manage, or fail to manage, contemporary international security problems. |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Evaluate the main causes of, and potential solutions, to major international security threats, in terms of traditional and new (or human security) challenges. |
| Reflection | Evaluate | Critically evaluate the work of leading experts in the field of international security, and apply that evaluation to one’s own research agenda. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 20 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17 | Feedback Weeks | 10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17 | |
| Feedback |
Written feedback will be provided for continuous assessment work. This will normally be provided within three weeks of the submission date. Email feedback on class presentations will also be provided where appropriate. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Understand the historical evolution of international security as the primary sub-field of International Relations, particularly since the end of the Cold War. |
| Procedural | Analyse | Analyse the specific ways governments and international organisation manage, or fail to manage, contemporary international security problems. |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Evaluate the main causes of, and potential solutions, to major international security threats, in terms of traditional and new (or human security) challenges. |
| Reflection | Evaluate | Critically evaluate the work of leading experts in the field of international security, and apply that evaluation to one’s own research agenda. |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 60 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 50,51,52,53 | Feedback Weeks | 4 | |
| Feedback | ||||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 50,51,52,53 | Feedback Weeks | 4 | |
| Feedback | ||||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
|
||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Procedural | Evaluate | Evaluate the main causes of, and potential solutions, to major international security threats, in terms of traditional and new (or human security) challenges. |
| Procedural | Analyse | Analyse the specific ways governments and international organisation manage, or fail to manage, contemporary international security problems. |
| Reflection | Evaluate | Critically evaluate the work of leading experts in the field of international security, and apply that evaluation to one’s own research agenda. |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Understand the historical evolution of international security as the primary sub-field of International Relations, particularly since the end of the Cold War. |
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