Admission requirements
Only students of the MSc Crisis and Security Management can take this course.
Description
Research environment of crisis and security governance is challenging, complex and often political and policy inspired. Analysing and evaluating scientific research findings from academic peer-reviewed Journals is a basis requirement for Master students. In order to critically review scientific empirical research findings, students must gather insight in the application of certain research methods by scholars in the security field. Furthermore, conducting an empirical research is a key element of the master thesis.
This course will provide students with an understanding of the basic principles of developing a research design that can be of use in the later process of writing a master thesis. This course develops the different stages in elaborating an interesting and feasible research design. These different stages are: formulation of the research question based on literature review, defining the concepts used and operationalization of these concepts in to measurable indicators, pointing out different sources. In order to gain insights in the methodology students will use, an overview will be provided of qualitative research methods (interviewing, focus groups, desk top research & content analysis) and quantitative methods (large N and survey). However these course is not a ‘methods’ course, and we will not in-depth analyse each of the methods mentioned. We will discuss requirements of a excellent research design, like internal and external validity and reliability.
Theoretical lectures will be alternated by expert-guest lecturers explaining their research experiences in the field and their view on advantages and disadvantages of specific methods. This is a mandatory course, where an active input (class discussions, practical exercises and presentations) are required. The individual output of each student will be a research proposal that can serve as a basis for the master thesis.
Learning objectives
- Students will gain theoretical insights in research design and different scientific methods used within the context of security governance
- Students will be able to analyze and evaluate empirical research findings in the broad security field
- Students will develop analytical and critical writing skills by writing a research proposal for the master thesis
- Students will learn how to evaluate by writing a peer-review of a draft research proposal of a fellow student
- Students will be able to provide a high-level presentation in the thesis conference
Timetable
Mode of instruction
The course will exist of 6 lectures and 1 tutorial where students will individually present their final research paper in a thesis conference, in the presence of fellow students and thesis supervisors. During the lectures mandatory non-graded exercises will be organized in small groups, where the different stages of the process of writing a research proposal will be practiced. Each assignment will be explained in the lectures and general feed-back on each of the assignment will be provided before the lecture starts. Guest lectures will be organized with as well academics (on their research methods and results within the broad security domain) and with practitionars.
Course Load
140 hours
Hours required for lectures and quest lecturers: 7 weeks X 3 hours/week = 21
Self-study hours: 119 hours
Assessment method
The following assignments count for 30% of the total grade:
- Literature review and formulating a research question (20%)
- Oral individual presentation of research design paper with ppt at the thesis conference (10%)
The final research proposal counts for 70 % of the total grade.
In order to pass this course, the following assignments are mandatory (not graded)
1. Draft of the research design paper
2. Peer review of the research design paper of another student
All assignments (also the non graded) must be submitted on Blackboard using Turnitin.
Students will only get a final grade if they submit all assignments (even the non graded onces) on time. In class students must be present and participate in the exercises at the last hour of each class.
In order to pass the course, at least a 5.5 has to be obtained in total (all assignments) AND 5,5 on the final research design paper. A retake of the individual final paper is possible.
You can find more information about assessments and the timetable exams on the website.
Details for submitting papers (deadlines) are posted on Blackboard.
On the Public Administration front page of the E-guide you will find links to the website, uSis and Blackboard.
Resit
Students will be permitted to resit an examination if they have taken the first sit and have a mark lower than 5.5 or with permission of the Board of Examiners.
Resit written exam
Students that want to take part in a resit for a written exam, are required to register via uSis. Use the activity number that can be found on the ‘timetable exams’.
Blackboard
Yes, Blackboard will be available 10 days before lecture 1.
Reading list
Mandatory literature
(1) Swanborn, P.G. (2009) Research methods: the basics Eleven International Publishing, ISBN-13: 978-9047301264
(2) Swanborn, P.G. (2010) Case study research : what, why and how? Los Angeles: Sage. (ISBN: 9781849206112/ 9781849206129)
and articles assigned for each session. See Blackboard Course material is mandatory for the final proposal as far as it is set out in sheets, handouts and other information media.
Registration
Use both uSis and Blackboard to register for every course.
Register for every course and workgroup via uSis. Some courses and workgroups have a limited number of participants, so register on time (before the course starts). In uSis you can access your personal schedule and view your results. Registration in uSis is possible from four weeks before the start of the course.
Also register for every course in Blackboard. Important information about the course is posted here.
Contact
E. Devroe
e.devroe@cdh.leidenuniv.nl (office B207).
Office hours: Tuesday – Thursday 09-18 h
Remarks
This is a mandatory course, so attendance is required.