COURSE OUTLINE
PSM 8 Introduction to Political Analysis and Research
Course Description: This course is an introduction to various qualitative and qualitative
research issues, methods and style for understanding and
explaining socio-political phenomena.
Course Outcomes: At the end of this course, students will be able to explain and apply
the principles of research design in planning and designing a
methodologically sound research proposal in a relevant political
science topic. Furthermore, they will be able to:
a) Explain the basic principles and procedures of social
science research including strategy, design and methods;
b) Critically evaluate selected quantitative and qualitative
research approaches their applications, strengths, and
limitations,
c) Apply course outcomes (a) and (b) in proposing a basic
research proposal on an approved topic and explain in
detail how this can be operationalized and implemented.
Grading System: New Normal Grading System:
Written Task (40%) + Performance Task (60%) = IG
Final Grade (FG):
IG x 60% + 40 = FG
But, for this class we will modify the grading system into:
Attendance – 5&
Classroom Activities/ Quizzes – 10%
Proposal Manuscript – 50%
Oral Defense – 30%
All are computed in zero-based.
Course Requirements:
The final requirement of this course will be in the format of a basic research proposal,
which will be submitted in four parts: 1) Introduction (includes background, statement of the
problem, research question, significance of the study, scope and limitations); 2) Review of
Related Literature, 3) Conceptual or theoretical framework, 4) Methodology (data collection
method, plan of analysis). The paper is not expected to have results and conclusion since it is
just a proposal. The proposal will help you frame your research problem, review the literature,
establish a framework, and evaluate possible data collection methods that may be used to carry
them out.
Students are expected to present and defend their research article proposal in class with
pre-assigned members from the faculty as panelists. The presenters must defend their research
design including their research question, theoretical or conceptual framework, and proposed
method of data gathering and analysis.
Research Proposal Components:
1
Deadline Output
February 17 Output 1: Conceptual Paper
March 30 Output 2: Chapter I Introduction
April 27 Output 3: Chapter II Review of Related Literature
May 24 Output 4: Chapter III Methodology & Complete Chapters
COURSE CONTENT
Week Topic
A. Course Orientation & Overview
Week 1 a. Research: Definition & Characteristics
(January 15-20) b. Purpose of Research
c. Research Process
B. Introduction to Political Analysis and
Week 2 Research
(Jan. 22-27) a. Ontology and Epistemology
b. Philosophical Worldviews and
Research Methodologies
C. Beginning of the Research Process
a. Planning and Choosing Research
Week 3 Topic(s)
(Jan. 29-February 03) b. Research Questions and
Hypotheses/Assumptions
c. Mistakes in the Research Process
Week 4-5 Writing of Output 1: Conceptual Paper
(Feb. 05-17)
Week 6
Critiquing of Output 1
(Feb. 19-24)
D. How to Write Chapter I: Introduction
Components of Chapter I:
a. Background of the Study
Week 7-8
b. Statement of the Problem
(Feb. 26-March 09)
c. Significance of the Study
d. Scope and Limitation
Week 9: Midterm Examination [March 11-17]
Week 10-11
Writing of Output 2: Chapter I: Introduction
(March 18-30)
Week 12 Critiquing of Output 2
(April 01-06) *Selection of Advisers*
Week 13 E. Developing the Review of Related
2
Literature
a. Reviewing the Literature
(April 08 -13)
b. How to cite properly
c. Format/Components of Chapter II
Week 14-15 Writing of Output 3: Chapter II: Review of
(April 15-27) Related Literature (except framework)
F. Developing the Theoretical and /or
Week 16 Conceptual framework
(April 29-May 04) a. Using Theory
b. Designing Conceptual Framework
G. Research Methodology
a. Quantitative Research Methods
Week 17
b. Qualitative Research Methods
(May 06-11)
c. Format/ Components of Chapter
III
Week 18-19: May 13-24
Integration of all Chapters
Week 20
H. Proposal Defense
(May 27-31)
Classroom Policies:
1) Once the grouping is decided, NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO CHANGE THE GROUPINGS. Your teacher
will be the one who will divide the class. In case that a member failed to cooperate during the
writing of the paper, the leader has the prerogative to omit the name of that member.
2) The selection of adviser will be determined by your teacher. The prospect advisers will choose a
study based on their interest. Your names will be omitted to ensure honest selection.
3) There is no extension of deadline for all the outputs. You are advised to coordinate closely with
your adviser to ensure effective writing of the outputs.
4) Plagiarism and/or commissioning someone to write your manuscript are serious academic
offence hence this will merit an automatic failing mark in the course (5.0) and potential
discipline case filed.
Reference Materials:
Baglione, L.A. (2016). Writing a Research Paper in Political Science: A Practical Guide to Inquiry,
Structure, and Methods (Third Edition). Los Angeles: SAGE/CQ Pre.
Clamor – Torneo, H.S. and Torneo, A.R. (2018). An Introduction to Qualitative Research (Practical
Research 1). Quezon City: Sibs Publishing House, Inc
Clamor – Torneo, H.S. and Torneo, A.R. (2018). An Introduction to Quantitative Research (Practical
Research 1). Quezon City: Sibs Publishing House, Inc
3
Creswell, J. W. (2013). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approach.
Sage Publications.
Johnson, J.B. and Reynolds, H. T. (2012). Political Science Research Methods. Los Angeles: SAGE/CQ
Pre.
Kumar, Ranjit. (2005). Research Methodology: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners. 2 nd edition,
Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications. Neuman, W. L. (2011). Social research methods: Qualitative
and quantitative approaches. 7th Edition. International Edition: Pearson Education.
Babbie, E. R. (2014). The basics of social research. CA: Wadsworth. Brown, R. B., and Saunders, M.
(2008). Dealing with statistics: what you need to know. McGraw-Hill International.
King, G., Keohane, R. O., & Verba, S. (1994). Designing social inquiry: Scientific inference in
qualitative research. Princeton University Press.
