Introduction and class expectations Lecture: what is a good research, what is a research design?

We will focus on understanding the difference between the interpretative and explanatory approaches to social science research. The student presentation (Grix, Chapter 5) will be followed by a discussion based on the two following texts: ● Explanatory (positivist): Fearon, D. J. “Commitment Problems and the Spread of Ethnic Conflict” in D. Lake and D. Rothchild (eds), The International Spread of Ethnic Conflict (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1998), pp.107-126. ● Interpretative (post-positivist): Somer M. Cascades of Ethnic Polarization: Lessons from Yugoslavia. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science. 2001;573(1):127-151.

In this class, you will learn what independent and dependent variable means. These concepts are very important for future classes. Make sure you understand these terms at the end of the class. The student presentation (Grix, Chapter 6) will be followed by a discussion based on the two following texts: ● Inductive Approach: Lorenzo, D. J.. Democratic Peace Theory, the Problems of Pluralism, and the Opposition to the Use of Military Force in the US, Democracy and Security 2018: 14(4): 414-442. ● Deductive approach: Lektzian D, Souva M. “A Comparative Theory Test of Democratic Peace Arguments, 1946—2000.” Journal of Peace Research. 2009: 46(1):17-37.

The student presentation (Adcock & Collier) will be followed by a discussion based on the following text: Mudde, C., & Rovira Kaltwasser, C. (2013). Exclusionary vs. Inclusionary Populism: Comparing Contemporary Europe and Latin America. Government and Opposition, 48 (2), 147-174.

The student presentation (Gerring) will be followed by a discussion based on the two following texts: ● Large-N (Quantitative) Study of the Relationship between Polarization and Democracy: Ekim Arbatli & Dina Rosenberg. ‘United we stand, divided we rule: how political polarization erodes democracy’, Democratization, 2020, DOI: 10.1080/13510347.2020.1818068 ● Small-N (Qualitative) Study of the Relationship between Polarization and Democracy: McCoy J, Rahman T, Somer M. ‘Polarization and the Global Crisis of Democracy: Common Patterns, Dynamics, and Pernicious Consequences for Democratic Polities,’ American Behavioral Scientist, 2018, 62(1):16-42

The student presentation (Beach & Pedersen) will be followed by a discussion based on the following text: Jermanová T. “From Mistrust to Understanding: Inclusive Constitution-Making Design and Agreement in Tunisia.” Political Research Quarterly. November 2020.

The student presentation (Halperin & Heath) will be followed by a discussion based on the following text: Bolcha, P., & Rovný, J. “Luck or luxury? Possible corruption in the car registration process in the Czech Republic.” Journal of Public Policy, 2016, 36(4), 603-638.

The student presentation (Mahoney & Goertz) will be followed by a discussion based on the following text: Art, D. "The Organizational Origins of the Contemporary Radical Right: The Case of Belgium", 2008, Comparative Politics 40 (4): 421-440.

What ‘coding’ means and how validity and reliability are ensured during the coding process. The student presentation (Van Dijk) will be followed by a discussion based on the following texts: • Gregor, M. and A. Macková. 2015. “Euroscepticism the Czech way: An analysis of Václav Klaus’ speeches,” European Journal of Communication 30 (4): 404-417. • Kratochvíl, P and L. Tichý. 2013. “EU and Russian discourse on energy relations,” Energy Policy 56: 391-406

The student presentation (Nassauer & Legewie) will be followed by a discussion based on the following text: Alexei Anisin & Pelin Ayan Musil “Protester-Police Fraternization in the 2013 Gezi Park Uprisings,” Social Movement Studies, 2021

The student presentation (Halperin & Heath) will be followed by a discussion based on the two following texts: ● Example with the interview method: Tian, X. “Escaping the Interpersonal Power Game: Online Shopping in China,” Qualitative Sociology, 2018, 41: 545–568. ● Example with the survey method: Sardana, D, Gupta, N, Sharma, P. “Spirituality and religiosity at the junction of consumerism: Exploring Consumer Preference for Spiritual Brands,” International Journal of Consumer Studies 2018; 42: 724-735

The student presentation (Bryman) will be followed by a discussion based on the two following texts: ● Kubik J “Ethnographies of power”. In Wydra, H and Thomassen, B, (eds.) Handbook of Political Anthropology. 2018. pp. 258-292 ● Tamimova M “Concrete Sectarianism: Revisiting the Lebanese Civil War through Beirut’s Built Environment” Ethnography. 2022.

In this class, we will study research designs (including thesis proposals) prepared by the students AND research proposals that have received funding.

Deadline for the submission of research designs!