The course covers the key thematic and methodological skills to design and execute a research project in the fields of Global Security and Area Studies. It introduces students to all major elements of research design and develops skills in: formulating a research question, identifying a research problem, working with the literature to situate their research, building a theoretical framework, and bridging theory and their empirical analysis to address their research question. The course covers the most commonly used approaches and techniques in the disciplines of Global Security and Area Studies, including interviews and focus groups, as well as analysis of textual information. It provides a general understanding of theoretical underpinnings of qualitative methods, as well as of the ethical and practical challenges of qualitative research. It further provides a basic overview of quantitative methods, to enable students to access academic literature based on these methods.

The course is divided into two parts: five sessions on research design, and five sessions on selected qualitative methods. The two sets of sessions will equip students with the practical skills to execute their research projects, laying the foundations for their dissertations.

Students will practice skills of research design by filling in questionnaires before each session. They will also develop skills in qualitative methods through a number of practice-oriented exercises, as well as through peer feedback.

Weekly one-hour lectures (plenary), followed by a one-hour tutorial (at least two groups, 25 students max per group)

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Written assignment (60%): research proposal

Presentation (20%): group presentation on a selected research method

Practical skills assessment (20%): participation and practical exercises throughout the course

■ To provide a solid understanding of the different stages of a research project, including formulating research questions, operationalising complex theoretical frameworks, case selection and analysis.

■ To equip students with the skills to design and execute a research project.

■ To develop a high-quality research proposal that will form the basis of the students' dissertation.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Formulate a research question

■ Develop a theoretical framework for research in Global Security and Area Studies

■ Select an adequate research design and methods following from one's research question and theoretical framework, targeted to the disciplines in question

■ Have a good understanding on how relevant methods should be applied to their research in practice

■ Demonstrate critical awareness in planning their research

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.