Methodology for research on international relations 2104-L-D4MBSM

Course content (thematic scope)
Introduction to the course. Science, classification of sciences, academic work
The concept of science and the multiplicity of its meanings.
Classification of sciences: natural, humanities, social sciences.
Paradigm, scientific method, methodology.
Knowledge, science, doctrine; parascience and pseudoscience.
Characteristics of academic work in the social sciences.
Social sciences and academic disciplines. International relations as a discipline
Humanities versus social sciences.
Object and subject of research in the social sciences; theories and models.
Types of research problems.
Classification of academic disciplines; the place of International Relations.
Historical and institutional context of the discipline in Poland and worldwide.
The research field of International Relations. Introduction to working with sources
Scope and essence of the research field in IR.
The notion of “internationality”; levels of analysis (systemic, state, individual).
Sub-disciplines: security, integration, foreign policy, international political economy, etc.
Categorisation of sources: documents, monographs, articles, internet sources.
Object, theory and methodology of International Relations
The object of IR research – ontological questions.
Epistemology: how we know the international world.
Mainstream theories (realism, liberalism, constructivism) and methodology.
Paradigms and styles of doing research in IR.
Functions of International Relations and overview of research methods
Functions of IR: descriptive, explanatory, prognostic, normative, applicative.
General methods of inquiry: empirical and theoretical.
Historical and sociological methods.
System analysis, structural–functional analysis, institutional–normative analysis, comparative and behavioural approaches.
Currents and paradigms in International Relations (I)
Classical models of explanation.
The international community, the neo-classical compromise.
Research worldviews: post-positivism, constructivism, activism, pragmatism.
Currents and paradigms in International Relations (II)
The modernist current and the postmodern “revolution” in IR.
Structural realism and neorealism.
Neoliberal institutionalism.
Currents and paradigms in International Relations (III)
Neoliberal, pluralist visions of the world.
Globalism, the English School.
Critical theories, feminism, postcolonial approaches – an introduction.
Methodological debates (I): classical vs positivist approaches
The debate over “one” science versus methodological pluralism.
Positivism, neopositivism, behaviourism in IR.
Classical, historical and interpretive approaches.
Methodological debates (II): post-positivist and interpretive approaches
Post-positivism, reflectivism, critical theory, post-structuralism.
Constructivism as a theoretical–methodological project.
The debate on the role of values and norms in research.
Forecasting, models, simulations and scenarios in IR research
The concept of a forecast and forecasting.
Approaches and methods of forecasting; types of forecasts.
Forecasts versus scenarios.
Simulations as a research method.
Research methodology (I): research problem, questions, hypotheses
Research and academic work in practice.
Formulating a research problem.
Research questions versus hypotheses; operationalisation of concepts.
The role of the supervisor/academic mentor.
Exercises using examples of thesis outlines.
Research methodology (II): methods and techniques in practice
Qualitative methods: case study, interview, discourse analysis.
Quantitative methods: surveys, statistics in IR.
Sampling, selection of empirical material, sources.
Exercises: critical methodological analysis of academic articles.
Research methodology (III): academic writing and the BA thesis outline
Structure of an academic work: introduction, theoretical part, empirical part, conclusions.
Scholarly apparatus: references, bibliography, footnotes.
Style and language of academic writing; typical mistakes.
Exercises: work on students’ own BA thesis outlines.

Term 2024L:

The subject's syllabus emphasizes the understanding of three basic categories, which constitute the methodological preparation of the researcher:
- philosophical assumptions of the researcher
- research strategy
- specific test methods and procedures (methods, techniques).
The philosophical and theoretical assumptions of the researcher include a set of basic beliefs that guide the research process. Otherwise: paradigm, epistemological and ontological assumptions or broadly understood methodology of scientific research.
The worldview is the researcher's general view of the world and the nature of scientific research. Researchers' worldview is formed under the influence of the scientific discipline they deal with, the convictions of scientific tutors (masters) and lecturers, and their own experiences.
For didactic purposes, it is worth distinguishing four basic worldviews:
- postpositivism
- constructivism
- activism
- pragmatism
In the classroom, the assumptions of each are discussed, but also moralism, amoralism, machiavellianism and political realism. In this way, young researchers learn about the range of research approaches conditioned by worldviews.

Type of course

obligatory courses

Prerequisites (description)

The course combines a theoretical and a practical approach so that methodology is treated as a real working tool for researchers in international relations. It requires students to have a basic knowledge of the theory and history of international relations and a readiness to read academic texts independently. The aim of the course is to prepare students to make an informed choice of methodological approach and to design their own research projects, in particular their bachelor’s thesis.

Course coordinators

Kinga Torbicka

Mode

Classroom

Learning outcomes

Knowledge (K_W01, K_W02, K_W05)
Knows the basic methodological categories: science, theory, paradigm, method, research technique, ontology, epistemology, hypothesis, research problem.
Recognises the main paradigms and schools of thought in the discipline of International Relations and their methodological implications (realism, liberalism, constructivism, post-positivist approaches, critical approaches).
Knows the basic methods and research techniques used in the study of international relations (including system analysis, comparative analysis, case study, historical methods, forecasting, qualitative and quantitative methods).

Skills (K_U01, K_U02)
Is able to identify and reconstruct the methodological structure of a scholarly article (research problem, questions, hypotheses, method, selection of empirical material).
Is able to formulate a preliminary research problem, research questions and a working hypothesis for their own bachelor’s thesis.
Is able to select appropriate methods and research techniques for a chosen research problem in the field of international relations.
Is able to prepare and deliver an oral presentation offering a methodological analysis of an academic text.

Social competences (K_K01, K_K02, K_K05)
Understands the importance of reliability, objectivity, transparency and ethical responsibility in conducting scholarly research.
Is ready to engage in critical but substantive discussion of academic texts and other researchers’ views.
Appreciates the importance of methodology for the quality and credibility of conclusions in academic work (including their own bachelor’s thesis).

Assessment criteria

Presentation of a scholarly article (40%)
In-class presentation of a selected academic article in the field of International Relations, with particular emphasis on: clearly reconstructed research problem, questions and hypotheses; correctly identified methods and research techniques; and a critical assessment of the coherence and adequacy of the methodology used.
Class participation (30%)
Regular preparation of the assigned readings; active participation in discussions (substantive contributions, questions, comments); engagement in in-class exercises focused on methodological analysis of texts.
Bachelor’s thesis outline (30%)
Submission, by the end of the semester, of a short outline of the bachelor’s thesis (approx. 2–3 pages), including: a working title, research problem, research questions, hypothesis/hypotheses, preliminary structure of the thesis, initial choice of methods and research techniques, and a draft of the basic bibliography.
The verification of learning outcomes is carried out entirely without the assistance of artificial intelligence. Students rely solely on their own knowledge, understanding, and skills. Artificial intelligence may not be used at any stage of the assessment process.

Practical placement

not applicable

Bibliography

Polish-language literature (core readings)
Czaputowicz, J. (2022). Teorie stosunków międzynarodowych. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN.
Łoś-Nowak, T. (2008). Współczesne stosunki międzynarodowe. Podręcznik akademicki. Wrocław: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Wrocławskiego.
Rojek, W. (2021). Historia nowoczesnych stosunków międzynarodowych. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN.
Schreiber, H., & Wojciuk, A. (eds.). (2018). Stosunki międzynarodowe. Antologia tekstów źródłowych. Tom 1: Korzenie dyscypliny – do 1989 roku. Warszawa: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego.
Sielezin, J. R. (2024). Wybrane zagadnienia z metodologii badań. Wrocław.
Sułek, M. (2004). Metody i techniki badań stosunków międzynarodowych. Warszawa: Oficyna Wydawnicza ASPRA-JR.
Sur, S. (2012). Stosunki międzynarodowe. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Dialog.
Wojciuk, A., & Schreiber, H. (eds.). (2022). Stosunki międzynarodowe. Antologia tekstów źródłowych. Tom 2: Współczesne oblicza dyscypliny po 1989 roku. Warszawa: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego.
Zenderowski, R. (2023). Praca magisterska i licencjacka. Warszawa: CeDeWu.
Zieliński, J. (2012). Metodologia pracy naukowej. Warszawa.
Zięba, R., Bieleń, S., & Zając, J. (eds.). (2015). Teorie i podejścia badawcze w nauce o stosunkach międzynarodowych. Warszawa.
English-language literature
Baylis, J., Wirtz, J., & Gray, C. S. (Eds.). (2018). Strategy in the Contemporary World. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Bryman, A. (2016). Social Research Methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Creswell, J. W. (2018). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications.
Lamont, C. (2015). Research Methods in International Relations. London: SAGE Publications.
Supplementary literature
Bezpieczeństwo międzynarodowe. Teoria i praktyka (M. Grącik & K. Żukrowska, eds.). (2006). Warszawa: Szkoła Główna Handlowa.
Dawidczyk, M., & Jurczak, J. (2022). Metodologia bezpieczeństwa w przykładach i zastosowaniach. Warszawa: Difin.
Gałganek, A., et al. (eds.). (2012). Wielo- i interdyscyplinarność nauki o stosunkach międzynarodowych. Warszawa.
Gierszewski, J., & Pieczywok, A. (2020). Metodologiczne podstawy badania problemów bezpieczeństwa. Warszawa: Difin.
Mich, W., & Nowak, J. (eds.). (2012). Wokół teorii stosunków międzynarodowych. Lublin.
Skarzyński, R. (ed.). (2014). Przedmiot poznania politologii. Podstawy dyscypliny nauki. Białystok.
Methodological articles from journals: Stosunki Międzynarodowe – International Relations, Polish Political Science Review, Politeja, Przegląd Strategiczny, Studia Polityczne (ISP PAN).

Term 2024L:

- Andrzej Chodubski, Wstęp do badań politologicznych, Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Gdańskiegi, Gdańsk 2013.
- Adamn Grobler, Metodologia nauk, Wydawnictwo Aureus-Znak, Kraków 2006.
- David Marsh, Gerry Stoker (red.), Teorie i metody w naukach politycznych, Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego, Kraków 2006.
- Włodzimierz Mich, Jakub Nowak (red.), Wokół teorii stosunków międzynarodowych, Wydawnictwo UMCS, Lublin 2012.
- Andrzej Gałganek i in. (red.), Wielo- i interdyscyplinarność nauki o stosunkach międzynarodoqwych, Wydawnictwo Rambler, Warszawa 2012.
- Ryszard Skarzyński (red.), Przedmiot poznania politologii. Podstawy dyscypliny nauki, Temida 2, Białystok 2014.
Ryszard Zięba, Stanisław Bieleń, Justyna Zając (red.), Teorie i podejścia badawcze w nauce o stosunkach międzynarodowych, WDiNP UW, Warszawa 2015.

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 2104-L-D4MBSM in USOSweb