PhD student seminar - Political Science and Administration 1600-SZD-SDOK-NoPiA
The aim of the course is to prepare doctoral students to apply theoretical and methodological knowledge in practice when preparing a doctoral dissertation and scientific publications. The following topics will be addressed during the seminar:
a) An overview of the main methodological challenges in preparing a doctoral dissertation and scientific publications – Justification for the choice of research topic and problem, theory, and methods; How to prepare an Introduction and Conclusion for a doctoral dissertation;
b) A literature review, identifying research gaps; applying theory to address a research problem;
c) How to present a self-report and respond to reviewers' comments – preparing for a doctoral defense (methodological issues, terminology);
d) Common errors in doctoral dissertations and defenses – case studies;
e) Student presentations on the progress of their doctoral dissertations to date (based on chapters submitted three weeks prior);
f) A discussion of the main theoretical, conceptual, and methodological issues and challenges raised in the student presentations; b)
g) Sample presentations of the PhD students' self-reports (based on 5-page summaries submitted ten days earlier); discussion of the most important challenges
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Skills: Can:
UW_1 - use knowledge of various scientific or artistic disciplines to creatively identify, formulate and innovatively solve complex problems or perform research tasks, and specifically: define the purpose and subject of research and formulate a research hypothesis, develop and creatively use research methods, techniques and tools, draw conclusions from research results
UW_2 – make a critical analysis and evaluation of the results of scientific research, expert activity and other creative works and their contribution to the development of knowledge
UK_1 - communicate on specialist topics to a degree enabling active participation in the international research community
UK_3 - initiate a debate
UK_4 - participate in the scientific discourse
UU_01 independently plan and act for their own development, and inspire and organise the development of others
Social competences: Is ready to:
KK_1 - critically evaluate the achievements of a given scientific or artistic discipline
KK_2 - critically evaluate own contribution to the development of a given scientific or artistic discipline
Assessment criteria
Description of requirements related to participation in classes, including the permitted number of explained absences: Presence in all class is mandatory, mission 1 class is allowed in special circumstances
Principles for passing the classes and the subject (including resit session):
- Participation in classes
- Presentation of progress on the doctoral dissertation
- Presentation of a mock oral presentation
Methods for the verification of learning outcomes:
- Assessment of activity during classes
- Knowledge of the presented literature
- Application of theory and methods from classes during presentations
Evaluation criteria:
- Mandatory class attendance
- Assessment of two presentations, which should include elements specified by the instructors
Bibliography
a. Myers, Jerome L., Arnold D. Well, and Robert F. Lorch Jr. Research design and statistical analysis. Routledge, 2013.
b. Van Lange Paul, A. M., Wim BG Liebrand, and Wilke Henk AM. "Introduction and literature review." Social dilemmas (2015): 3-28.
c. Lamont, Christopher. "Research methods in international relations." (2021): 1-100.
d. Nygaard, Lynn P., and Kristin Solli. Strategies for writing a thesis by publication in the social sciences and humanities. Routledge, 2020.
e. Shapiro, Ian. "Problems, methods, and theories in the study of politics, or what's wrong with political science and what to do about it." Political theory 30, no. 4 (2002): 596-619.
f. Fidler, Fiona, Cathy Faulkner, and Geoff Cumming. "15. Analyzing and presenting outcomes." Evidence-based outcome research: A practical guide to conducting randomized controlled trials for psychosocial interventions (2008): 315.
g. Lantsoght, Eva OL. "Preparation for the doctoral defense: methods and relation to defense outcome and perception." Preprints (2021): 2021090481..
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: