Introduction to Research Design in the Social Sciences

What it is about

You will learn how to systematically plan a research project in the social sciences and draft it as a master's thesis. In the end you will be able to formulate a clear research question, select appropriate theories, concepts and measurements, and design a suitable research design (qualitative or quantitative) for your master's thesis.

What you will be able to do

• Formulate research questions that can be answered within the scope of a master's thesis
• Identify research gaps and conduct a literature review
• Derive concepts as well as define measurements and hypotheses
• Understand the three logics of social science research: descriptive, predictive, explanatory
• Choose and apply a suitable research design for your own project

What the module consists of

• SeminarFoundation content, discussions, presentation practice and supervision in the creation of the research proposal

Teaching method

• Input by instructorsProviding basic knowledge on research design
• DiscussionsExchange on specific aspects of scientific work
• Student presentationsTraining of presentation and communication skills as well as early feedback
• Interactive elementsApplication of what has been learned to one's own research projects