| CODE | PPL5002 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Research Methods for Policy and Business 1 | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Public Policy | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The programme addresses the following eight major themes: 1. Research Basics: How can we define research? What is the difference between ‘scientific’ and ‘business’ research? What are the key elements that constitute high quality research? What are the main components of research proposals? 2. Research Terminology: Through quizzes and interactive exercises, students will have the opportunity to become acquainted with social research terminology. 3. Research Methodologies: What are the different stages that constitute the research process? On what basis do we decide which research methodology to be applied? What are the characteristics of quantitative and qualitative data? In which circumstances are they employed and what are their respective advantages and limitations? 4. Sampling Techniques: What is the distinction between a sample and a census? What are the major stages in developing a sampling design process? How is sample size and method determined? 5. Research Ethics: Why are research ethics an important issue? What are the six domains where research ethics play a strategic role? What are the safeguards that assist the researcher to produce true, fair and wise studies? What is the role of the University Research Ethics Committee? 6. Academic Writing: What are the main differences between academic and personal writing? What are the key common writing strategies? How can a writing process be developed? Why is scientific writing highly structured? 7. Style Guidelines: What are the vital characteristics of the academic writing style? What are the practical tips for clear writing and reader friendly presentation style? 8. Research Techniques and Exercises: Through tutorials, students will have the opportunity to undertake hands-on exercises in techniques such as speed reading, mind mapping, criticism of past dissertations and book chapters, punctuation marks, research quotations, www searching, and the Buzan Organic Study Technique (BOST). Study-unit Aims: The aim of this study-unit is to help students reading for a Masters Degree in Public Policy Leadership to develop as researchers and writers within the academic and professional communities by raising awareness of, practicing and reflecting upon the conventions of scholarly research and literature in the policy sciences. Students will be offered a deeper understanding of theory, contemporary research methods and debates within the social and political sciences. Thus they will be in a better position to capitalise on the rest of the study-units within the MA programme that deal more specifically with issues of comparative politics, governance, policy-making and public sector management. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Apply scientific methods of collecting, analyzing, presenting and interpreting data; - Use standard research terminology in the field of social sciences; - Think and write more clearly and incisively; - Apply ethical standards in producing a true, fair and wise research paper; - Practice the genres of argumentative writing, critique and research articles; - Reflect critically on their approach to reading; - Incorporate the work of other authors into their own writing in ways that are ethical and scientific; - New strategies for learning. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Establish an effective working relationship with their supervisors during the different stages of the dissertation; - Polish, edit and refine their own written work without the help of others; - Express themselves confidently and clearly, both verbally and in writing; - Apply mind mapping concepts to generate ideas and enhance their speed-reading and comprehension skills. Main Text/s: - Bezzina, J. (2006), Methodology: A Style Manual for the Writing of Term Papers, Dissertations and Theses. Malta: Gualitana Publications. - Bryman, A. (2009), Social Research Methods. USA: Oxford University Press. - Burnham, P., Gilland Lutz, K., Grant, W. and Layton-Henry, Z. (2008), Research Methods in Politics. UK: Palgrave Macmillan Publishing. Supplementary Text/s: - Crème P. and Lea M.R. (2008), Writing at University – A Guide for Students. UK: Open University Press. - Hart, C. (2009), Doing a Literature Review: Releasing the Social Science Research Imagination. Great Britain: Sage Publication. - Levin, P. (2008), Excellent Dissertations. UK: Open University Press. - Scruton, R. (2007), The Palgrave Macmillan Dictionary of Political Thought. UK: Palgrave Macmillan Publishing. - Truss, L. (2003), Eats, Shoots & Leaves! The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation. UK: Profile Books Ltd. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Tutorial | ||||||||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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