University of Essex

GV914-7-SP-CO:
Research Design

The details

Year: 2025/26

Department: Government

Campus: Colchester Campus

Term: Spring

Level: Postgraduate: Level 7

Status: Current

Start date: Monday 12 January 2026

End date: Friday 20 March 2026

Credits: 15

Last updated: 07 February 2023

Requisites for this module

Pre-requisites: (none)

Co-requisites: (none)

Pre and / or co-requisites: (none)

Prohibited modules: (none)

Key module (requisite for): GV915

Key module for

MA L25212 Conflict Resolution,
MA L252EB Conflict Resolution,
MA L252EK Conflict Resolution,
MSC L25212 Conflict Resolution,
MSC L252EB Conflict Resolution,
MSC L252EK Conflict Resolution,
MA L24012 Global and Comparative Politics,
MA L240EB Global and Comparative Politics,
MA L240EK Global and Comparative Politics,
MSC L24012 Global and Comparative Politics,
MSC L240EB Global and Comparative Politics,
MSC L240EK Global and Comparative Politics,
MA L25012 International Relations,
MA L250EB International Relations,
MA L250EK International Relations,
MRESL25024 International Relations,
MSC L25012 International Relations,
MSC L250EB International Relations,
MSC L250EK International Relations,
MA L20612 Political Economy,
MA L206EB Political Economy,
MA L206EK Political Economy,
MRESL20624 Political Economy,
MSC L20612 Political Economy,
MSC L206EB Political Economy,
MSC L206EK Political Economy,
MA L20012 Political Science,
MA L200EB Political Science,
MSC L20012 Political Science,
MSC L200EB Political Science,
MA L205EB Political Theory,
MA L20112 Politics,
MA L201EB Politics,
MA L201EK Politics,
MA L201JS Politics,
MA L201MI Politics (With English for Academic Purposes),
MA L20712 Public Opinion and Political Behaviour,
MA L207EB Public Opinion and Political Behaviour,
MA L207EK Public Opinion and Political Behaviour,
MSC L20712 Public Opinion and Political Behaviour,
MSC L207EB Public Opinion and Political Behaviour,
MSC L207EK Public Opinion and Political Behaviour,
MRESL20024 Political Science,
MSC L2I112 Social Data Science,
MPP L43012 The Essex MPP,
MPP L43024 The Essex MPP,
MPP L430EB The Essex MPP,
MPP L430JS The Essex MPP,
MA F7D412 Environmental Futures with Climate Change,
MSC F7D412 Environmental Futures with Climate Change,
MSC L2P312 Politics, Communications and Data Analytics,
MA L20812 Political Psychology,
MA L20824 Political Psychology,
MSC L20812 Political Psychology,
MSC L20824 Political Psychology,
MPHDL20148 Government,
MPHDL20K48 Government,
MPHDL20KJS Government,
PHD L20148 Government,
PHD L20K48 Government,
PHD L20KJS Government,
MPOLL268 International Relations,
MPOLL269 International Relations (Including Placement Year),
MPOLL370 International Relations (Including Year Abroad),
MPOLL234 Politics and International Relations,
MPOLL235 Politics and International Relations (Including Placement Year),
MPOLL236 Politics and International Relations (Including Year Abroad)

Module description

This module consists of two parts: (1) introduction to the principles of scientific method in social sciences and politics; and (2) discussion of specific research designs and their applications in the study of politics.

In addition to these topics, each student will develop, present, and write a research paper that can be also used for their M.A. or Ph.D. Dissertation.

Module aims

Module learning outcomes

At the end of the course:

1. Students will learn how to develop and evaluate research questions on topics in the politics/social science
2. Students will be able explain the difference between a research question and a hypothesis
3. Students will be able to identify and describe the appropriate research technique(s) for answering different types of research questions
4. Students will apply the appropriate research technique to a given question and be able to justify their choice of technique

Module information

No additional information available.

Learning and teaching methods

Class will meet once a week for 2 hours (120 min) during the Spring term. This module consists of two parts: (1) introduction to the principles of scientific method in social sciences and politics; and (2) discussion of specific research designs and their applications in the study of politics. In addition to these topics, each student will develop, present, and write a research paper that can be also used for their M.A. or Ph.D. Dissertation. What we expect of you during lecture and classes: To attend all lectures and classes after having done the required reading. To pay attention and take notes as necessary. To think about the readings and lectures notes before the class and be ready to discuss them: try to identify the key assumptions in the texts; map the structure of the argument; underline the conclusions. Highlight to yourself points you don’t understand. Ask yourself whether you agree with the text, whether you can identify weaknesses or gaps in the argument, and what could someone who disagrees with it argue against it. To offer your participation as required (answering questions, asking questions etc.). Learning about and discussing these texts is a communal endeavour and it is a matter of good citizenship to contribute. Further, part of what we want you to achieve, and what we mark you for, is clear and confident oral presentation. You are expected to answer questions, raise new points, and contribute to the progression of discussion in class.

Bibliography*

Clark, T. et al. (2021f) Bryman’s social research methods. Sixth edition. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/974675.
Knopf, J.W. (2006) ‘Doing a Literature Review’, PS: Political Science & Politics, 39(1), pp. 127–132. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1049096506060264.
Johnson, J.B., Reynolds, H.T. and Mycoff, J.D. (2019e) Political Science Research Methods. 9th Revised edition. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications Inc. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/650865.
Kellstedt, P.M. and Whitten, G.D. (2018a) Fundamentals of Political Science Research. 3rd Revised edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (Virtual Publishing). Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/294544.
Kellstedt, P.M. and Whitten, G.D. (2018b) Fundamentals of Political Science Research. 3rd Revised edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (Virtual Publishing). Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/294544.
King, G. (1986) ‘How Not to Lie with Statistics: Avoiding Common Mistakes in Quantitative Political Science’, American Journal of Political Science, 30(3). Available at: https://doi.org/10.2307/2111095.
Adcock, R. and Collier, D. (2001) ‘Measurement Validity: A Shared Standard for Qualitative and Quantitative Research’, American Political Science Review, 95(3), pp. 529–546. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0003055401003100.
Bourke, B. (2014) ‘Positionality: Reflecting on the Research Process’, The Qualitative Report [Preprint]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2014.1026.
Pillow, W. (2003) ‘Confession, catharsis, or cure? Rethinking the uses of reflexivity as methodological power in qualitative research’, International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education, 16(2), pp. 175–196. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/0951839032000060635.
Glynos, J. and Howarth, D. (2008) ‘Critical Explanation in Social Science: A Logics Approach’, 34(1).
Montanaro, L. (no date) ‘Discursive Exit’, American Journal of Political Science, 63(4), pp. 875–887. Available at: https://onlinelibrary-wiley-com.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/doi/10.1111/ajps.12463.
Howarth, D. and Roussos, K. (2023) ‘Radical democracy, the commons and everyday struggles during the Greek crisis’, The British Journal of Politics and International Relations, 25(2), pp. 311–327. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/13691481211067147.
Johnson, J.B., Reynolds, H.T. and Mycoff, J.D. (2020b) Political Science Research Methods. 9th Edition. CQ Press. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/650865.
Reade, J. (2021) ‘Keeping it raw on the ‘gram: Authenticity, relatability and digital intimacy in fitness cultures on Instagram’, New Media & Society, 23(3), pp. 535–553. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444819891699.
Malik, R. (2023) ‘Lesser of Two Evils: Allocating Resources to Opposition Districts in Pakistan’, 48(2). Available at: https://doi-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/10.1111/lsq.12398.

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam	Description	Deadline	Coursework weighting

Exam format definitions

Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Reassessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Module supervisor and teaching staff

Supervisor: Dr Ireen Litvak-Zur, email: i.litvak-zur@essex.ac.uk.

Teaching staff: Faten Ghosn

Contact details: Module Supervisor: Ireen Litvak-Zur, i.litvak-zur@essex.ac.uk / Student Administrator Jamie Seakens govpgquery@essex.ac.uk

Availability

Available to incoming Essex Abroad / Exchange students: No

Available to Outside Option: No

Available to Audit: Yes

External examiner

Name: Dr Kyriaki Nanou

Institution: Durham University

Academic role: Associate Professor in European politics

Resources

Teaching materials: Available via Moodle

Lecture recording:* Of 6 hours, 6 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

Further information

Department website: Government

* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.

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Module Directory

GV914-7-SP-CO:Research Design