Методология и методы политических и экономических исследований

Магистратура 2026/2027

Статус: Курс по выбору (Политика. Экономика. Философия / Politics. Economics. Philosophy)

Кто читает: Департамент политики и управления

Где читается: Факультет социальных наук

Когда читается: 1-й курс, 2, 3 модуль

Охват аудитории: для своего кампуса

Язык: английский

Кредиты: 6

Контактные часы: 64

Full Syllabus Ask Question

Abstract

The course is designed to introduce students to the philosophy and methodology of research in the social sciences and to show them how the specialization and integration of different methodologies work across social sciences and beyond. In addition, students are familiarized with the main methods of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed research, and they learn about the challenges associated with their application.

Learning Objectives

shaping students’ critical thinking in the face of multiple epistemological strategies, working methodologies and theoretical approaches practiced in contemporary social sciences
helping students to develop skills necessary for choosing analytical tools adequate to specific research areas and tasks, for designing research programs

Expected Learning Outcomes

critically evaluates research projects in political science and economics
critically evaluates research projects in political science and economics
designs methodological frameworks for research projects in political science and economics
knows the key principles of the most common methodologies and research methods of political science and economics

Course Contents

Introduction to the Philosophy and Methodology of Science
Methodological Specialization and Integration
Challenges of Quantitative Research
Challenges of Qualitative Research
Challenges of Mixed Research

Assessment Elements

Group Work Presentation & Paper I
A research project will be divided into two steps: (1) Formulating a puzzle, research question, methodological options, and challenges. (2) Summarizing the methodological path and preliminary or expected results. Each step presupposes that your group (a) sends a presentation to the instructor's email at least one day before the seminar, (b) gives a 20-minute oral presentation, during which your ideas are discussed in class and your team receives feedback from the instructor and other students, and (c) prepares the written version of this step (2–4 pages) within a week, taking into account the feedback received. Each member of the team should be involved in the preparation and oral presentation of every step. The slides should indicate which part each team member is responsible for. Violation of the deadlines for pre-uploading the presentation or uploading the text will result in a penalty of 1 point in each case. The absence of a presentation or text for any step will result in a penalty of 3 points in each case. When preparing a methodological strategy, students are expected to use mixed methods or to explain why the use of one of the two approaches (quantitative or qualitative) is not relevant to the study.
Group Work Presentation & Paper II
A research project will be divided into two steps: (1) Formulating a puzzle, research question, methodological options, and challenges. (2) Summarizing the methodological path and preliminary or expected results. Each step presupposes that your group (a) sends a presentation to the instructor's email at least one day before the seminar, (b) gives a 20-minute oral presentation, during which your ideas are discussed in class and your team receives feedback from the instructor and other students, and (c) prepares the written version of this step (2–4 pages) within a week, taking into account the feedback received. Each member of the team should be involved in the preparation and oral presentation of every step. The slides should indicate which part each team member is responsible for. Violation of the deadlines for pre-uploading the presentation or uploading the text will result in a penalty of 1 point in each case. The absence of a presentation or text for any step will result in a penalty of 3 points in each case. When preparing a methodological strategy, students are expected to use mixed methods or to explain why the use of one of the two approaches (quantitative or qualitative) is not relevant to the study.
Peer Review
The review should freely reflect the strengths and weaknesses of the paper under review and also indicate points for improvement. The optimal length is two pages. Try to make your review balanced and devote sufficient attention to both the strengths and weaknesses of the project. Write in an academic language and style. Aim to be insightful and strict enough while at the same time respectful toward your colleagues. It is forbidden to criticize the personalities of team members or to use non-academic vocabulary in reviews.
Participation and Discussions in Class in Module 2
Participation and Discussions in Class in Module 3

Interim Assessment

2026/2027 3rd module
0.25 * Group Work Presentation & Paper II + 0.2 * Group Work Presentation & Paper I + 0.2 * Participation and Discussions in Class in Module 2 + 0.2 * Participation and Discussions in Class in Module 3 + 0.15 * Peer Review

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Approaches and methodologies in the social sciences : a pluralist perspective / ed. by Donatella della Porta . (2008). Cambridge [u.a.]: Cambridge University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.283822104
Keating, M., & Della Porta, D. (2008). Approaches and Methodologies in the Social Sciences : A Pluralist Perspective. Cambridge , New York: Cambridge University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=304674
Mahoney, J., & Goertz, G. (2006). A Tale of Two Cultures: Contrasting Quantitative and Qualitative Research. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.18538E6D
Mäki, U., & ScienceDirect (Online service). (2012). Philosophy of Economics. Amsterdam: North Holland. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=249147
Taagepera, R. (2018). Science walks on two legs, but social sciences try to hop on one. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.688BE5ED
The Oxford handbook of political methodology / ed. by Janet Box-Steffensmeier . (2008). Oxford [u.a.]: Oxford Univ. Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.253060168

Recommended Additional Bibliography

King, G. (DE-588)135604311, (DE-576)166299405. (1994). Designing social inquiry : scientific inference in qualitative research / Gary King; Robert O. Keohane; Sidney Verba. Princeton, NJ: Princeton Univ. Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.039730549
Klingemann, H.-D., & Goodin, R. E. (1996). A New Handbook of Political Science. Oxford: OUP Oxford. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=273524

Authors

Inshakov Ilia Aleksandrovich
ZHIGADLO KONSTANTIN VIKTOROVICH
ILIN MIKHAIL VASILEVICH
ALEKSEEV ALEKSANDR VLADIMIROVICH

Course Syllabus