1. Give students an integrated view of scientific methodology adapted to meet the specific needs of political science, which should which provide students with an ability to evaluate critically research in various fields within the discipline.
2 Provide them with practical tools used on concrete examples, which should enable them to understand clearly how these tools are used, their potential and their limitations.
Main themes
- the place of the political science in the system of the sciences.
- Conceptualization and theorizing.
- Modelling: description, explanation, prediction.
- Inventory of the possible methodologies
- Designs of research (convenient examples) in the different fields of the discipline
- Choice and bet in .uvre of a specific methodology, for the realization of a work
- Formatting of research reports
Content and teaching methods
- Module 1 (20h) :
1. Statute of the political science. Types of speech of the political science. Science, protoscience, pseudo-science. The political science in the system of the sciences. Reductionism: of the biopolitique to geopolitics. Interdisciplinarity, transdisciplinarity, multidisciplinarity.
2. Conceptualization and theorizing. The definition. Language and significance. Semiotics, syntax, semantics, pragmatic, praxéologie. Empiric, ontologic levels, épistémiques. Paradigm and theory.
3. Modelling: description, explanation, prediction. The description: information, data, facts. Assessment and opérationalisation. Qualitative and quantitative measures. The explanation: induction, inference, law. Determinism and contingency. Causation, implication, association. Structures, systems, models. The prediction: determinism and chaos. Formalisation, axiomatisation, simulation.
4. Conclusion: inventory of the possible methodologies, of strengths & limits of the different strategies of research
- Module 2, in plenary + interactive (16 h): examples of research "designs": theoretical, empiric, methodological choices, etc. - 8 types contrasted of strategies through concrete research (published) in the different fields of the political science (international relations, compared politics, public action). Presentations by the holders as well as by the helpers.
- Module 3: (2h, then 12h monitorat; in 3 under-audiences: international relations, compared politics, public action): preparation of an individual work / report.
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)
Pre-requisite: Political science
Assessment: assessment of the individual work (criterias of bottom and shape).
Support: methodological, especially on line (on UCL site) guides; syllabus; wallet of reading.