Empirical methods in social and political research (SP 515)
| Course Code | Course Name | Semester | Theory | Practice | Lab | Credit | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP 515 | Empirical methods in social and political research | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Prerequisites | |
| Admission Requirements |
| Language of Instruction | French |
| Course Type | Compulsory |
| Course Level | Masters Degree |
| Course Instructor(s) | Birol CAYMAZ birolhoca.caymaz@gmail.com (Email) |
| Assistant | |
| Objective | The course provides a methodological basis for both field research and study on texts. We will teach first of all, the two principal techniques of researches on social sciences: interview and sample questionnaire. We will also discuss the bibliographic research and identification of sources and finally we will study on content analyses and texts reviews. |
| Content | After an introductive presentation on the specificity of disciplinary fields related to research methods used, the first part presents the approach of social sciences researches. The second part focuses on the preparation and implementation of sample questionnaire; development and use of the questionnaire, selection of the surveyed population and data processing. |
| Course Learning Outcomes |
1- Know the majority of methods 2- Learn the steps of scientific research 3- Choose the appropriate research technique 4- Know how to prepare a sample questionnaire 5- Develop and direct the questionnaire 6- Prepare a sampling 7- Produce results 8- Know how to analyze data 9- Prepare a survey research interview 10- Select the method of interview 11- Prepare the interview guide 12- Conduct a interview 13- Report the content 14- Analyze the data |
| Teaching and Learning Methods | The majority of the courses are in the form of lectures. From the 5th week, students should be organized in groups and create a research project involving the application of at least one research technique taught in class. |
| References |
PATRICK CHAMPAGNE (…éd.)- Initiation à la pratique sociologique. Paris, Dunod. 1989. BOURDIEU Pierre- « La fausse neutralité des techniques : objet construit ou artefact », pp. 253-264, in BOURDIEU, PASSERON et CHAMBOREDON (éd.)- Le métier de sociologue, Paris, Bordas. BOURDIEU Pierre- « L’opinion publique n’existe pas », pp. 222-250, in Question de sociologie, les éditions de minuit, 1984. MUCCHIELLI Alex- Les méthodes qualitatives, Paris, PUF, 1994. FERREOL G., DEUBEL P.- Méthodologie des sciences sociales. Paris, Armand Colin, 1993 BEAUD Stéphane - “L’usage de l’entretien en sciences sociales”, Politix, no 35, pp. 226-257 BOURDIEU Pierre - “Comprendre”, pp. 903-939, in La Misère du Monde, Seuil, 1993 LEGAVRE Jean-Baptiste - “La «neutralité» dans l’entretien de recherche”, Politix, no 35, pp. 207-225 DUCHESNE Sophie - “Entretien non-préstructuré, stratégie de recherche et étude des représentations”, Politix, no 35, pp. 189-206 CAYMAZ Birol- “Siyasi partilerin gençlik kolları”, ss. 299-330, in Türkiye’de gençlik çalışması ve politikaları, Bilgi üniv. Yay., 2008. ÜSTEL Füsun, CAYMAZ Birol- Seçkinler ve sosyal mesafe. (rapor) Nisan 2009. http://www.aciktoplumvakfi.org.tr/pdf/seckinler-ve-sosyal-mesafe.pdf |
Theory Topics
| Week | Weekly Contents |
|---|---|
| 1 | Presentation of course and its organization. Distribution of the syllables. |
| 2 | - The concept of method - The steps of scientific research - Plurality of theories |
| 3 | - Constructions of hypothesis - Production of data - Questionnaire, observation, trace study, experimentation |
| 4 | Sample of questionnaire - Development of questionnaire - Question types |
| 5 | Development of the questionnaire. Test the questionnaire on the field. The various type of questionnaire administration. |
| 6 | Sampling. How to proceed? Probabilistic survey. Empiric survey |
| 7 | Data Processing. Coding of answers. Elementary processing. The sorting flat and the pairwise comprising |
| 8 | Survey by interview of research Basic principals The types of interview: non directive, semi-directive and directive |
| 9 | - Mid-Term |
| 10 | - The implementation. - The place of interview - The duration of interview - The intervention types. |
| 11 | - Production of data - Integral transcription - Developed transcription |
| 12 | Analyze of interview Thematic analyze Structural Analyze |
| 13 | Students’ presentations of their field experiences. |
| 14 | Presentation of final report of research project. |
Practice Topics
| Week | Weekly Contents |
|---|
Contribution to Overall Grade
| Number | Contribution | |
|---|---|---|
| Contribution of in-term studies to overall grade | 1 | 50 |
| Contribution of final exam to overall grade | 1 | 50 |
| Toplam | 2 | 100 |
In-Term Studies
| Number | Contribution | |
|---|---|---|
| Assignments | 1 | 0 |
| Presentation | 1 | 20 |
| Midterm Examinations (including preparation) | 1 | 30 |
| Project | 0 | 0 |
| Laboratory | 0 | 0 |
| Other Applications | 0 | 0 |
| Quiz | 0 | 0 |
| Term Paper/ Project | 1 | 50 |
| Portfolio Study | 0 | 0 |
| Reports | 0 | 0 |
| Learning Diary | 0 | 0 |
| Thesis/ Project | 0 | 0 |
| Seminar | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 0 | 0 |
| Toplam | 4 | 100 |
| No | Program Learning Outcomes | Contribution | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
| 1 | Use major concepts, theories and approaches with an effective comprehenshion of the relationship among them. | X | ||||
| 2 | Identify and gather information from credible primary and secondary sources in the field of political science; analyze and synthesize data. | X | ||||
| 3 | Design, conduct and interpret the results of original research by using basic research methods. | X | ||||
| 4 | Make written and oral presentations original in national and international conferences in the field of political science and share their knowledge with their counterparts in academic publications. | X | ||||
| 5 | Conceive the causes of social transformations and use this capacity for the development of modern society. | X | ||||
| 6 | Evaluate and interpret the historical and contemporary dynamics of the society and politics in Turkey from a scientific perspective. | X | ||||
| 7 | Comprehend and analyze critically the current configuration of social dynamics. | X | ||||
| 8 | Appraise the sources of societal conflict and how they can be resolved by political means. | X | ||||
| 9 | Enhance awareness and sensivity towards issues related to democracy, human rights and social peace. | X | ||||
| 10 | Use French, the main language of education in Galatasaray University, in accordance with the requirements of intercultural communication following publications in French and communicating with colleagues in the international environment. | X | ||||
| Activities | Number | Period | Total Workload |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class Hours | 14 | 3 | 42 |
| Working Hours out of Class | 12 | 5 | 60 |
| Assignments | 1 | 20 | 20 |
| Presentation | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| Midterm Examinations (including preparation) | 1 | 15 | 15 |
| Final Examinations (including preparation) | 1 | 25 | 25 |
| Total Workload | 172 | ||
| Total Workload / 25 | 6.88 | ||
| Credits ECTS | 7 | ||