Course Information
Course title
 Research Methods of Social Science 
Semester
 113-1 
Designated for
 COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES  Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies in College of Social Sciences  
Instructor
 YI-HAO SU 
Curriculum Number
 PS3101 
Curriculum Identity Number
 302E30560 
Class
  
Credits
 2.0 
Full/Half
Yr.
 Half 
Required/
Elective
 Elective 
Time
 Thursday 3,4(10:20~12:10) 
Remarks
 Restriction: sophomores and beyond AND Restriction: within this department (including students taking minor and dual degree program)
The upper limit of the number of students: 25. 
  
Course introduction video
 
Table of Core Capabilities and Curriculum Planning
 Table of Core Capabilities and Curriculum Planning
Course Syllabus
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Course Description

This course seeks to provide undergraduate students with basic knowledge of how to conduct empirical research on international relations (IR). To this end, the course is organized into two sections. The first section introduces academic writing skills. Students will learn how to formulate research questions, implement literature reviews, and prepare an appropriate research design. In the next section, the instructor will demonstrate how to use a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods, including surveys and interviews. To be familiar with these skills and approaches, students should work with their teammates and actively participate in the group exercises.

Starting from Fall 2024, this course will be one of the required courses for IR students. Students majoring in public administration and political theory are welcome to take this course as a substitute for “Research Methods of Social Science” in their curriculum requirements. However, please note most of the course materials are composed of IR theories and cases. If there is room for additional course registration, preference would be given to senior and junior students, respectively. Permission codes will be provided in the class of September 12.

Though the course is conducted in English, students can choose to complete the assignment and exam in either English or Chinese. Lectures will not be recorded. 

Course Objective
 Upon completion of this course, students should be able to
1. Identify and formulate research questions
2. Produce literature review that shows gaps in the scholarship
3. Develop a research design that answers questions
4. Conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses
5. Collect data and evidence to validate the arguments
6. Ensure ethical approaches to human subject research 
Course Requirement
 The class meeting comprises a lecture and a group exercise. While the instructor lectures on methodology and methods, students should
1. read the required materials and come well prepared to class;
2. engage in the discussion and contribute to the teamwork;
3. bring a laptop to complete the in-class exercises. 
Student Workload (Expected weekly study hours before and/or after class)
  
Office Hours
  
Designated reading
 1. Leanne C. Powner, Empirical Research and Writing: A Political Science Student’s Practical Guide (Washington D.C.: CQ Press, 2014).
2. Luigi Curini & Robert Franzese, The SAGE Handbook of Research Methods in Political Science and International Relations (London: SAGE Publications, 2020). 
References
  
Grading
  
No.
Item
%
Explanations for the conditions
1. 
 Attendance and participation 
30% 
 Students are evaluated based on how often and how well they ask questions, respond to quizzes, and present group findings. 
2. 
 Peer evaluation 
10% 
 Every student will rate the contributions of each group member near the end of the semester. 
3. 
 Literature review 
20% 
 Due on October 31. The length requirement is approximately 2,000-2,500 words. 
4. 
 Final exam 
40% 
 Scheduled on December 19. This will be an open-book exam on research design, including multiple choice and essay questions. 
  1. NTU recommends an upper limit of 20% for A+ grades. This is not a mandatory requirement. Instructors may adjust the percentage based on course requirements. Instructors teaching required courses are particularly encouraged to follow this guideline.
  2. NTU uses a letter grade system for assessment. The grade percentage ranges and the single-subject grade conversion table in the NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY Regulations Governing Academic Grading are for reference only. Instructors may adjust the percentage ranges according to the grade definitions. For more information, see the Assessment for Learning Section.
 
Progress
Week
Date
Topic
Week 1
 9/5  Class cancelled. The instructor participates in the APSA meeting, Philadelphia. 
Week 2
 9/12  Course Introduction and Research Puzzle Formulation 
Week 3
 9/19  Arguments and Literature Review 
Week 4
 9/26  Citation and Research Ethics; Zotero Exercise 
Week 5
 10/3  Typhoon 
Week 6
 10/10  National Holiday; No Class 
Week 7
 10/17  Theories and Hypotheses 
Week 8
 10/24  Research Design 
Week 9
 10/31  Sampling and Surveys; Qualtrics Exercise 
Week 10
 11/7  Survey Experiments 
Week 11
 11/14  Existing Data and Statistical Analysis; NewGene Exercise 
Week 12
 11/21  Quantitative Textual Analysis; Python Exercise 
Week 13
 11/28  Case Studies and Historical ArchivesCultural Studies and Discourse Analysis; Invited Guest Speaker 
Week 14
 12/5  Cultural Studies and Discourse Analysis; Invited Guest Speaker 
Week 15
 12/12  Interviews and Observations 
Week 16
 12/19  Final Exam