Political Science and International Relations

The aim of this course is to enable students to understand the ontological, epistemological, and methodological foundations of qualitative research and to apply fundamental qualitative research methods in practice. The course seeks to develop students’ ability to design qualitative research, select appropriate data collection methods, analyse qualitative data systematically, and report research findings in accordance with academic standards. It also aims to raise students’ awareness of research ethics, researcher positionality, and the ethical issues that may arise when conducting research with vulnerable groups.

There is no pre-requisite for this course.

Bryman, A. (2016). Social Research Methods (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.Flick, U. (2009). An Introduction to Qualitative Research (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.Ritchie, J., & Lewis, J. (Eds.). (2003). Qualitative Research Practice: A Guide for Social Science Students and Researchers. SAGE Publications.Other materials will be shared on the LMS.

Students are expected to comply with the principles of academic integrity in all assignments and during the design, data collection, analysis, and reporting stages of their research. Plagiarism, fabrication or falsification of data, presenting interviews or observations that were not actually conducted, using another person’s data or analysis without proper acknowledgement, and submitting work prepared by someone else as one’s own constitute violations of academic integrity. Students must obtain informed consent from research participants and protect confidentiality, anonymity, and data security. Violations of academic integrity will be addressed in accordance with the relevant university regulations and applicable higher education legislation.