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Principles of Comparative Research

Module Code: PO8003

Module Name: Principles of Comparative Research

  • ECTS Weighting: 10
  • Semester/Term Taught: Michaelmas
  • Module Personnel: Lecturer - Professor Robert Thomson

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this class, students should be able to:

  • To understand the decisions involved in developing appropriate research designs for comparative political research
  • To develop the ability to evaluate alternative research designs
  • To develop the ability to formulate appropriate research designs


Module Learning Aims

Students taking this course will learn the principles of sound social scientific research design and how to apply them to their own research. Students will learn both good practice in research as well as the basic ideas of what constitutes good social science. Students will learn from examples found in class as well as examples from published literature. The class will culminate in the development of a practical research design by each student that will serve as the basis for each student's MSc thesis.

Module Content

This module is designed to enable students to critically evaluate empirical research, to understand the strengths and weaknesses of different methods and designs, and to provide a foundation for research projects/dissertations.


Recommended Reading List

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Assessment Details

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Last updated 9 January 2013 polsci@tcd.ie.