Browse Hierarchy POLM979: Doing International Relations Research: Theories Methods, Data

This module introduces students to main theories from which international relations research is conducted and methods and analytics with which to conduct such research. Taught in SEM2 the module serves as a preparation for undertaking dissertation research that students are expected to accomplish in SEM3. The module enables students to learn (1) various theories of knowledge (e.g., positive versus normative, explanation versus understanding, objectivist versus subjectivist, postcolonial and decolonial, and rational versus relativist ways of doing international relations research; (2) major methods used in international relations research (e.g., interviews, documents, repositories, archives, recordings, and digital sources); and (3) analytical relations between various theories of knowledge in international research and methods appropriate to them. The module introduces students all these three issues with judicious examples drawn from major debates in contemporary international relations research.