Notes on *SOME* workgroup sessions readings from the courses (2022) Academic Skills: Research
Design and (2023) Academic Skills: Data Analysis. INCLUDES notes from (Total: 12 pages):
● Research Design workgroup sessions 1-4, 7 & 9.
● Data Analysis workgroup sessions 4 & 9.
● Sandra Halperin and Oliver Heath’s book (3rd edition, 2020) “Political Research Methods and
Practical Skills”, chapter 4.
1
Academic Skills (Research Design & Data Analysis) Notes on *SOME*
Workgroup Sessions and Readings
Table of Contents
Research Design Workgroup Notes 1
Workgroup 1: Introduction 1
Workgroup 2: Literature Review 2
Workgroup 3: Research Design 2
Workgroup 4: Peer Review 4
Workgroup 7: Theoretical Framework 4
Workgroup 9: Theoretical Framework (Steps 1-5) 5
Data Analysis Workgroup Notes 5
Workgroup 4: Quantitative Analysis 5
Workgroup 9: Qualitative Analysis 7
“Political Research Methods and Practical Skills” 7
Part 2 - How to Do Research: An Overview 7
Chapter 4: Asking Questions - How to Find and Formulate Research Questions 7
, 2
Research Design Workgroup Notes
Workgroup 1: Introduction
Workgroup Elements
Research design = literature review + theoretical framework.
➔ Use first-hand sources (academic articles), NOT newspapers.
➔ Formulate 2 RQs (qualitative + quantitative)
➔ Focus on an explanatory RQ.
◆ What is the effect of A on B?
◆ What is the effect of A on B?
◆ Avoid why + yes/no questions.
➔ Data analysis = collect, analyse data.
Assignment 3 + 5, make sure to focus on the word count (<50% for 1st draft is a ‘fail’).
Participation:
● Come on time.
● Ask questions, contribute to the class (quality > quantity).
● Participate in group discussion/work.
Workgroup 2: Literature Review
Assignment 2
Write summaries on 5 pieces of literature that are based on your topic (step 3) + discuss how to
organise the additional literature (step 6).
➔ Think about telling a coherent story.
◆ Why is the article put in place?
◆ What is the link between the literature review + the RQ?
➔ Focus on natural flow/link between paragraphs, if NOT use sub-headers + convincing
argumentation (use evidence).
➔ Video on Brightspace on organising a literature review.
➔ Writing a literature review is NOT a linear process.
➔ Good articles = peer-reviewed, from a reputable journal, cited many times
◆ https://www.scimagojr.com/journalrank.php?category=3320
◆ Look on Google Scholar, JSTOR to see how many times an article has been cited.
➔ In the final literature review, use a solid core group of articles + use the remaining ones (out
of the 11) for reference.
➔ Use reference management software (e.g. EndNote, Mendeley, Zotero).
➔ Give important definitions, BUT keep it simple.
➔ Structure can be organised by themes, theories.
Design and (2023) Academic Skills: Data Analysis. INCLUDES notes from (Total: 12 pages):
● Research Design workgroup sessions 1-4, 7 & 9.
● Data Analysis workgroup sessions 4 & 9.
● Sandra Halperin and Oliver Heath’s book (3rd edition, 2020) “Political Research Methods and
Practical Skills”, chapter 4.
1
Academic Skills (Research Design & Data Analysis) Notes on *SOME*
Workgroup Sessions and Readings
Table of Contents
Research Design Workgroup Notes 1
Workgroup 1: Introduction 1
Workgroup 2: Literature Review 2
Workgroup 3: Research Design 2
Workgroup 4: Peer Review 4
Workgroup 7: Theoretical Framework 4
Workgroup 9: Theoretical Framework (Steps 1-5) 5
Data Analysis Workgroup Notes 5
Workgroup 4: Quantitative Analysis 5
Workgroup 9: Qualitative Analysis 7
“Political Research Methods and Practical Skills” 7
Part 2 - How to Do Research: An Overview 7
Chapter 4: Asking Questions - How to Find and Formulate Research Questions 7
, 2
Research Design Workgroup Notes
Workgroup 1: Introduction
Workgroup Elements
Research design = literature review + theoretical framework.
➔ Use first-hand sources (academic articles), NOT newspapers.
➔ Formulate 2 RQs (qualitative + quantitative)
➔ Focus on an explanatory RQ.
◆ What is the effect of A on B?
◆ What is the effect of A on B?
◆ Avoid why + yes/no questions.
➔ Data analysis = collect, analyse data.
Assignment 3 + 5, make sure to focus on the word count (<50% for 1st draft is a ‘fail’).
Participation:
● Come on time.
● Ask questions, contribute to the class (quality > quantity).
● Participate in group discussion/work.
Workgroup 2: Literature Review
Assignment 2
Write summaries on 5 pieces of literature that are based on your topic (step 3) + discuss how to
organise the additional literature (step 6).
➔ Think about telling a coherent story.
◆ Why is the article put in place?
◆ What is the link between the literature review + the RQ?
➔ Focus on natural flow/link between paragraphs, if NOT use sub-headers + convincing
argumentation (use evidence).
➔ Video on Brightspace on organising a literature review.
➔ Writing a literature review is NOT a linear process.
➔ Good articles = peer-reviewed, from a reputable journal, cited many times
◆ https://www.scimagojr.com/journalrank.php?category=3320
◆ Look on Google Scholar, JSTOR to see how many times an article has been cited.
➔ In the final literature review, use a solid core group of articles + use the remaining ones (out
of the 11) for reference.
➔ Use reference management software (e.g. EndNote, Mendeley, Zotero).
➔ Give important definitions, BUT keep it simple.
➔ Structure can be organised by themes, theories.
