Seminar on research and communication methods

Teacher(s)

Bocquier Philippe; Legrand Vincent;

Language

French

Content

Around the themes of population and development discussed in the Master SPED, the seminar allows the student:
- to identify the different intellectual perspectives
- to identify frequent errors of reasoning
- to assimilate bibliographic research techniques
- to understand the specificities of the scientific reasoning
- to assimilate methods of scientific reasoning
- identify a relevant topic of research for the Master's dissertation

Teaching methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

The active pedagogy method is based on just-in-time teaching, work in the classroom and interactions via an online tool (Wooclap).

Evaluation methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

The student must submit 5 individual works (3 points each, ie 15 points in total):

• Answers to a question by different media: 3 pts
• identification errors of reasoning: 3 pts
• hypothetico-deductive or inductive method: 3 pts
• theoretical causal diagram: 3 pts
• justification research question: 3 pts

The 2 individual technical activities will each be scored on 5 points (bibliographic research, establish a bibliography) or 10 points in total.
Attendance at the 5 works during the course and at the 3 practical sessions is mandatory (2 points per participation, ie 16 points in total).
The interim dissertation outline (1 page) must imperatively be delivered (5 points). A feedback session on this interim dissertation outline will be organized, with mandatory attendance (4 points).
The final dissertation outline (1 page, 50 points) is due in January.

Other information

COVID-19 : 
In yellow code, the auditorium is large enough to accommodate all the students in person. However, if the number of students is larger than expected or if the orange code is applied, then the teaching will switch to distance learning.
Regardless of the teaching mode, the evaluation mode remains the same. Classroom exercises are adapted to sanitation rules.

Online resources

A portfolio of readings is offered to students. Most of the additional references are available on MoodleUCL, or open access on the internet.

Bibliography

Van Campenhoudt, L., & Quivy, R. (2011). Manuel de recherche en sciences sociales-4e edition. Dunod.
John W. Creswell 2009. Research Design - Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Los Angeles: Sage.
Federica Russo 2009. Causality and Causal Modelling in the Social Sciences - Measuring Variations. Dordrecht: Springer.
Nassim N. Taleb 2010. The Black Swan - The Impact of the Highly Improbable. London: Penguin.
Nassim N. Taleb 2008. Le cygne noir – La Puissance de l’imprévisible. Paris: Les Belles Lettres.
Daniel Kahneman 2011. Thinking, fast and slow. London: Penguin. 
Daniel Kahneman 2012. Système 1/ système 2. Les deux vitesses de la pensée. Paris: Flammarion.)

Faculty or entity

PSAD