"If you could learn only one thing in graduate school, it should be how to do scholarly research" (Gary King, Harvard University). By teaching the fundamental logic and process of empirical and interpretive research, and exploring the philosophical basis of social science research, this course helps students assess existing studies, identify their own research questions, develop arguments, and formulate strategies to conduct research. The course also contains workshops on practical aspects of research practice. This course is suitable for postgraduate students in political science, public policy, and international relations.
Notes:
1. This course is offered as part of the Postgraduate Training in Politics and Policy (PTPP) Program jointly organized by the Crawford School of Public Policy (CAP) and the School of Politics and International Relations (CASS). The program, however, is open to any postgraduate student in the social sciences.
2. This course mainly covers principles of research design in the social sciences. Students are strongly encouraged to read additional materials and/or to take other courses, such as Research Methods offered in CASS, to learn specific quantitative and qualitative methods.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:
• 1. formulate their own research question and to choose a proper research design that could examine the question;
• 2. assess conditions under which one can properly apply tools of measurement and systematic ways to make inferences and interpret data
• 3. undertake critical evaluations of methodological issues and problems in existing empirical research;
• 4. consider a variety of approaches to research in social sciences;
• 5. understand the importance of ethics in research and the ethical review process at ANU;
• 6. develop, refine and present a research proposal for their own original research.
Other Information
If you are not studying in a program at the Crawford School of Public Policy, please seek permission to enrol from the course convenor. If you intend to undertake major research, you are encouraged to take POGO8096 in Semester 1.
Delivery mode:
On Campus. 5 days of intensive lectures. All lecture notes (PowerPoint slides) and audio recordings will be uploaded to Wattle after each lecture.
In addition, students are required to attend academic and research skills workshops, group discussion sessions, and end-of-semester presentation sessions.
Indicative Assessment
50% Short notes, including a literature review (Learning outcomes 1 - 5).
50% Research proposal (Learning outcomes 1 - 6)
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
- 5 days of intensive lectures during the semester (5 hours x 6 weeks)
- Academic and research skills workshops (1.5 hours x 5 sessions)
- Discussion and presentation sessions (1.5 hours x 6 sessions)
- 3-5 hours per week for reading and preparation outside of contact hours to complete the course
Prescribed Texts
Shively, W. Phillips. 2009. The Craft of Political Research. Seventh Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Preliminary Reading
To be distributed.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Students continuing in their current program of study will have their tuition fees indexed annually from the year in which you commenced your program. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 12 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 12.00 | 0.25000 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1994-2003 | $2676 | |
| 2014 | $7164 | |
| 2013 | $7164 | |
| 2012 | $7164 | |
| 2011 | $7152 | |
| 2010 | $7140 | |
| 2009 | $7140 | |
| 2008 | $6804 | |
| 2007 | $6264 | |
| 2006 | $6168 | |
| 2005 | $5976 | |
| 2004 | $4824 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1994-2003 | $7344 |
| 2014 | $8292 |
| 2013 | $8280 |
| 2012 | $8280 |
| 2011 | $8268 |
| 2010 | $8268 |
| 2009 | $8004 |
| 2008 | $8004 |
| 2007 | $7728 |
| 2006 | $7728 |
| 2005 | $7728 |
| 2004 | $7728 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3705 | 17 Feb 2014 | 07 Mar 2014 | 31 Mar 2014 | 30 May 2014 | In Person | N/A |
