This course in quantitative and qualitative research methods is core for students in the areas of politics and government. It prepares students for demanding investigation of the content and process of political behaviour in a wide variety of settings. Students will be taught advanced research skills to interpret and explain political processes, drawing on debates over the choice of appropriate research methodologies for many different political and social settings.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. use basic statistical techniques;
2. assess quantitative measures of concepts;
3. assess qualitative measures of concepts;
4. apply quantitative and qualitative research techniques; and
5. formulate research hypotheses and research designs.

Required Resources

Required readings will be posted on Wattle.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course: written comments, with occasional feedback to the whole class. Verbal feedback is available through individual meetings, class discussion and in-lecture exercises.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

The information provided is a preliminary Class Outline. A finalised version will be available on Wattle and will be accessible after enrolling in this course. All updates, changes and further information will be uploaded on the course Wattle site and will not be updated on Programs and Courses throughout the semester. Any questions or concerns should be directed to the Course Convenor.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction. Research questions
2	Concepts, measurements and theories
3	Research design: overview and scientific standards	Concepts and measurement exercise
4	Causal analysis
5	Case study and small-N comparison
6	Qualitative methods: interviews, text analysis	Causal analysis exercise
7	Large N: sampling and surveys
8	Quantitative observational design
9	Mixed-method design	Methods exercise
10	Student presentations
11	Student presentations	Data generation exercise
12	Student presentations, discussion & course wrap up	Research design paper

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Concepts and measurement exercise	10 %	10/03/2020	24/03/2020	2, 3
Causal analysis exercise	15 %	31/03/2020	14/04/2020	4
Methods exercise	15 %	05/05/2020	12/05/2020	1, 4
Data generation exercise	15 %	20/05/2020	27/05/2020	4
Student presentation	15 %	27/05/2020	01/06/2020	2, 3, 4
Research design paper	30 %	05/06/2020	12/06/2020	5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Concepts and measurement exercise

Choose a political science concept of interest to you, preferably the one you are working with in your thesis. Discuss how the concept is defined, operationalized, and validated. Find the concept in at least two data sets, examine the way the concept is operationalised for empirical analysis and then come up with a plan for improved operationalisation and validation. 

More details on the assignment will be available via Wattle starting 24 February.

Weighting: 10%

Assessment Task 2

Causal analysis exercise

Identify a scholarly article of interest and critique it with an emphasis on threats to valid causal inference. The article can be any one of your choosing, so long as it explicitly identifies a causal research question and conducts empirical analysis to test that question. 

More details on the assignment will be available via Wattle starting 24 February.

Weighting: 15%

Assessment Task 3

Methods exercise

Identify a well-developed research question, preferably the one you are working with in class, and create EITHER a qualitative case selection and analysis strategy OR a quantitative case selection and analysis strategy.

More details on the assignment will be available via Wattle starting 24 February.

Weighting: 15%

Assessment Task 4

Data generation exercise

With a carefully selected research question for your thesis, generate data that could be used to test the question. Note you will not provide a comprehensive test but rather begin the data collection process.

More details on the assignment will be available via Wattle starting 24 February.

Weighting 15% 

Assessment Task 5

Student presentation

During class, each student will present their Honours project, including their research question and its significance, theoretical approach, research design and chosen methods.

More details on the assignment will be available via Wattle starting 24 February.

Weighting 15% 

Assessment Task 6

Research design paper

Please submit a full research paper (no more than 3000 words). The paper should have a research question, situate the question within the relevant literature, and propose a research design to answer that question, with consideration of the design and inferential issues covered in the course. The paper will serve as the basis for the Honours project.

More details on the assignment will be available via Wattle starting 24 February.

Weighting 30% 

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Assignments will be handed back in class (hard copy submission) or reported, with comments, on Wattle (online submission).

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Assignments may not be resubmitted.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students