1. Introduction to research methods

2.  Class Schedule :  20 hours of class, 6 meetings plus a final exam session on 21 of March  Class will consist of :  Meeting I: Introduction to Political Research Methodology  Meeting II: Defining a topic, and specifying a research question  Meeting III: Literature review and evaluation, theories, hypothesis development, and an overview of quantitative and qualitative research methods  Meeting IV: Introduction to qualitative data collection, and mixed research methods  Meeting V: Introduction to quantitative data collection, ethics, plagiarism and writing up the research  Meeting VI : Issues in Political Research : Internet, Ethics Challenging the mainstream and conclusion.

3.  Research is an ‘Academic’ domain  Research is not a mainstream business and management function  Research requires advanced mathematical knowledge  Intuition from experience can be more valuable than research  Research is boring and is done by people who have no friends and who rarely wash

4.  To become research literate  Because we live in a society that is driven by research  To improve critical thinking skills  To learn how to read and critically evaluate published research  To learn how to design and conduct research as future managers

5.  Politics is about power.  This makes lots of problems for observers  Questions :  Whom should be believe? Should we believe all statements of elected officials ? Who come we can analyze the accuracy of their comments? And effectiveness of their policies?

6.  Is there any best approach to the study of polities ?  What is covered by the umbrella of the subject matter of politics?  What is meant by scientific approach to the subject matter of politics ?  What is the connection between the study of politics and actual practice of politics ?  Is there standard method to use when undertaking a political science research ?

7. BehaviorismConcentrates on process of politics with mainstream policies and government Claims to be value free and neutral towards the practice of Politics Rational Choice TheoryConcerns with conditions for collective actions Claims to offer advise about how to organize polities InstitutionalismFocus on rules and norms that govern political exchanges, tends to look at institutional arrangements in political world Sees itself alongside with practitioners of politics FeminismA broad definition that recognized a personal can be political It is strongly engaged in politics Anti-Foundational or interpretive theory Politics is a narrative contest which can take place in a wide variety of settings Mixed range of responses with tendency towards narration MarxismPolitics is struggle between social groups in particular social classes Committed to engagement in struggles of oppressed social groups or classes

8.  There are many answers  But there are two main categories: 1- Field of study by reference to an arena or particular set of institutions (Behaviorism, Rational Choice Theory,Institutionalism) 2- Definition of political science which see politics as a social process that can be observed in a variety of settings (Feminism, Anti-Foundational or interpretive theory and Marxism)

9.  NO  Quantitative Methods  Qualitative Methods  Mixed Methods  Comparative Methods

10.  Science is progressive  Science is rational  Science is creative  Science is dynamic  Science is open  Science is “critical”  Science is never-ending

11.  Ontology: the meaning of being, it questions the real existence of the problem  Example : is there any difference between men and women?  Epistemology : is about knowledge. Is an observer able to identify real and objective relations between social phenomenon's? If so, how?

12.  Develop an idea to investigate or a problem to solve  Hypothesis formation  Research  Decision  Modification and Extension

13.  Deductive: the process of drawing a specific conclusion from a set of premises. Involves the following three steps:  1. State the hypothesis  2. Collect data to test the hypothesis  3. Make decision to accept or reject the hypothesis  Also known as ‘Theory Testing  Inductive: reasoning from particular to general. Involves the following three steps:  1. Observe the world  2. Search for a pattern in what is observed  3. Make a generalization about what is occurring.  Also known as ‘Theory generating’

14.  The word “theory” simply implies “explanation”. Theories explain “why” and “how” something operates as it does.  Theories exist to relative degrees of strength. Incredibly, the fact that aspirin cures headaches is still only theoretical – it have never been ‘proved’.  Theory exists by: ◦ Proof : Water turns to ice at – 6 degrees ◦ Association/correlation : Higher salaries motivate workers ◦ Empirical observation/testing: Volvo is the safest car

15.  Is it logical and coherent?  Is it clear?  Does it fit the available data?  Does it provide testable claims?  Have theory-based predictions been tested and supported?  Has it survived numerous attempts by researchers to identify problems with it or to falsify it?  Does it work better than competing or rival theories of explanations?  Is it general enough to apply to more than one place, situation, or person?  Can practitioners use it to control or influence things in the world? Dr Taran Patel Bus Res Meth: 1

16.  Hypothesis: a statement linking dependent (outcome) and independent (explanatory) variable. During the course of a research study this statement is to be tested through collection of primary and/or secondary data and its analysis.  Eg: Tourism development in Liberia (outcome or DEPENDANT variable) depends upon levels of investment (Explanatory of INDEPENDENT variable)  Your turn:  Adding ECO labels to our products will increase sales in Europe. Dr Taran Patel Bus Res Meth: 1

17.  PRIMARY: data collected directly by the researcher, specifically for the purposes of his/her research project.  For the FMP, it is required that you use primary data to test your hypotheses.  Examples please?  SECONDARY: data collected by someone else, usually for a different purpose  Examples please? Dr Taran Patel Bus Res Meth: 1  Archives, databases, Web pages  Experiment, observation, interview, survey

18.  Quantitative methods ◦ Experiment ◦ Survey  Qualitative methods ◦ Observations ◦ Interviews  Mixed methods ◦ Combination of quantitative and qualitative

19.  Quantitative methods ◦ Statistics ◦ Social network analysis  Qualitative methods ◦ Content analysis ◦ Grounded theory  Mixed methods ◦ Combination of quantitative and qualitative

20.  Thank you