Centre for European Studies
School of International Studies
Jawaharlal Nehru University

M.Phil Course
 

Course Code               :    ES601S
Course Title                :    Research Methodology
Instruction Method       :    Lectures and seminar
Evaluation Method        :    Class participation/Term paper/End- semester examination
Course Credits             :    3
Course Duration           :    One Semester (Monsoon)
Contact Hours             :    Four per week

The course in Research Methodology examines underlying issues in the philosophy and methodology of social sciences. The course begins with fundamentals of philosophy of science, epistemological debates, and the relationship between research and theory. Within this context it critically discusses the fundamental question that can social sciences emulate the model of natural sciences? It also provides an introductory overview of major ontological debates IN social sciences and IR theories. The second part of the course deals with research methods and techniques. This part introduces students to qualitative and qualitative inquiry, and provides an understanding to compare and evaluate variety of methods and techniques used in social science research. The students are expected to critically evaluate methods of social science investigation, explore issues of validity, reliability, value neutrality, and ethics. The purpose is to equip students with basic understanding of methodological issues and debates so that they make informed choices for their subsequent research.

Course Content

Issues in Philosophy and Methodology of Social Sciences

  • Distinction between science and social science
  • Epistemological debates in social sciences: Positivism, Realism, Interpretivism, Post–Modernism
  • Rethinking science: the philosophy of science- Karl Popper and Thomas Kuhn
  • Brief introduction to ontological debates
  • IR theories: Realism, Constructivism, Idealism, Globalization

Structure of Social Research

  • Concepts in Social Research: Data, Research Methods, Techniques, Concepts and Indicators, Variables, Sample, Research Designs, Hypothesis
  • Issues in social research: Subjectivity and Objectivity, Reliability and Validity, Description and Explanation, Standardization and Transparency, Induction and Deduction
  • Data Collection: Research Methods and Techniques

Select Reading List

Anderson, P. (1998), The Origins of Postmodernity, Verso: London.

Bernard, Russell (2000), Social Research Methods, New Delhi: Sage.

Blaikie, Norman (2000), Designing Social Research: The Logic of Anticipation, Cambridge: Polity Press.

Bryman, A. (2004), Social Research Methods, London: Oxford University Press.

Cargan, Leonard Doing Social Research (Erasmus Collection, Rembrandt Room/CES)

Clough, Peter A student's Guide to Methodology (Erasmus Collection, Rembrandt Room/CES)

Daddow, Oliver (2009), International relations Theory, SAGE Publications Ltd.

Denscombe, M. (2003), The Good Research Guide, Buckingham: Open University Press.

Goode, W.J. and Hatt, P.K. (1981), Methods in Social Research, International student edition. New York, McGraw-Hill.

Griffiths, Martin (2007), International Relations Theory for the Twenty-First Century: An Introduction, Taylor and Francis.

Hamilton (1992), 'The Enlightenment and the Birth of Social Science' in Hall, S. and B. Gieben (eds) Formations of Modernity, Cambridge: Polity.

Henn, Matt A short Introduction to Social Research (Erasmus Collection, Rembrandt Room/CES)

Hughes, J. (1997), The Philosophy of Social Research, London: Longman.

Kumar, K. (1995), From Post-Industrial to Post-Modern Society: New Theories of the Contemporary World, Oxford: Blackwell.

Lyon, D. (1994), Postmodernity, Buckingham: Open University.

Marsh, I. (2002) (ed), Theory and Practice in Sociology, Harlow: Prentice Hall. Chapter 1

May, T. (2001), Social Research: Issues, Methods and Process, Buckingham: Open University.

McNeil, P. (1990), Research Methods, London: Routledge.

Mukherjee, Partha Nath (2000), Methodology in Social Research: Dilemmas and Perspectives, New Delhi: Sage Publications.

Neuman, William Lawrence (2002), Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, Pearson Education.

Norman, Denzin and Lincoln, Y. (3rd ed) (2005), The Handbook of Qualitative Research, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Parker J. (2003), Social Theory: A Basic Tool Kit, Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan.

Pawson, R. (1999), 'Methodology' in Taylor, S. (ed.) Sociology: Issues and Debates, Basingstoke: Palgrave.

Stern, G. (2000), The Structure of International Society, London: Pinter Publishers.

Weber, Cynthia (2009), International Relations Theory: A Critical Introduction, Taylor & Francis.