Admission requirements
Students in the International and European Governance and Public Management tracks of the Master in Public Administration.
Description
This course provides a link between Research Design and the Master’s Thesis. It consists of a series of online learning modules covering different academic skills, qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection as well as methods of analysis (regression analysis; qualitative interviewing; survey research; comparative analysis; etc.). The online learning modules are combined with face-to-face group sessions in which these methods are discussed and applied. Students do not need to take all modules, but are able to tailor their own learning track depending on their methodological needs and interests in the thesis. The online component includes video and audio lectures, exercises and quizzes. For the face-to-face group sessions, students will need to prepare an assignment. During the group sessions assignments will be discussed and students will be presented with short exercises to practice the methods they have studied online.
Course objectives
After taking this course, students will be able to:
Identify appropriate methods of analysis and research techniques to answer a specific research question;
Independently carry out quantitative or qualitative analyses based on statistical data, surveys and interviews, or documentary evidence;
Effectively report and present the results of their quantitative or qualitative analyses in the field of public administration.
Timetable
On the Public Administration front page of the E-guide you will find links to the website and timetables, uSis and Blackboard.
Mode of instruction
Interactive lectures (online)
Diagnostic quizzes
Written assignments
Seminars and workshops (offline)
Course Load
The total course load is 140 hours:
Online modules, including assignments: 58 hours
Seminars and workshops: 12 hours
Self-study: 50 hours
Exam: 20 hours
Assessment method
Assessment consists of a written assignment (30%) and a final exam (70%).
Each assignment needs to be completed with a grade of 5.5 or higher to pass the course. The final grade for the course is established by determining the weighted average of the partial grades. Compensation of partial grades with other partial grades is not possible. Failed assignments can be resubmitted during the retake exam week.
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 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
A Blackboard website for this course will be made available one week prior to the start of the course. On this Blackboard website, you can find the online modules, readings and assignments. You can sign up for the face-to-face workshops. Blackboard will be used for course communication, the distribution of additional course information and for the submission of assignments.
Reading list
Readings and assignments for each module will be announced on Blackboard.
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 there.