New Course
MAIRD 611(VIII)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Strong research and writing skills are indispensable in international relations. This course equips students with advanced tools and techniques for conducting rigorous academic research, critically evaluating sources, and crafting scholarly papers. The curriculum includes in-depth instruction on proper citation and referencing formats, ensuring students excel in academic writing and research.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
This course is designed to offer a comprehensive insight and aptitude for developing research proposals and writing of term papers and dissertations by helping to ascertain the type of research to be conducted, the scope, and the appropriate approaches that ensure paramount results. It is geared towards enhancing the ability of students to effectively draft a wide variety of documents through increased sensitivity to language, structure and content. Participants will be exposed to a variety of techniques for drafting documents that are adapted to the audience and have impact. It also aims at developing the skills in research and presentation of findings in the most compelling manner.
COURSE CONTENT:
The course content includes, but is not limited to:
- Social science research methodologies comprising of survey and field research, designing of interview guides and questionnaires, focus group discussions and tools of data
- Beyond text: structure, format and graphics.
- Quality assurance techniques to ensure structural coherence, linguistic clarity, and compelling messages.
- Revising and refining your work. Methodologies to ensure structural integrity and attractiveness, arguments and proofreading techniques
- Approaches to writing a dissertation.
- Revising and refining your work. Methodologies to ensure structural integrity and attractiveness, arguments and proofreading techniques.
MODE OF DELIVERY:
MODE OF ASSESSMENT:
Assessment methods for this course will include written
assignments, practical exercises,
participation in peer discussions, and end-of-course examinations.
The grading criteria will be communicated in the course syllabus.
SUGGESTED READING LIST
1. Bryman, A. (2016). Social Research Methods
(5th Ed). Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2. Mohajan, H. (2018). Qualitative Research
Methodology in Social Sciences and Related Subjects 3. Greene, S. & Lidinsky, A. (2017) From
Inquiry to Academic Writing: A Practical 4. Smith, R.F. (2011). The Craft of Political
Analysis for Diplomats, Potomac Books Incorporated. 5. Strunk, W. (2007). The Elements of Style,
Penguin. 6. Giltrow, J., Gooding, R., & Burgoyne,
D. (2021). Academic writing: An introduction. Broadview Press.
Academic Writing & Research Methodology - Jan. 2024
MAIRD 611(VIII)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Strong research and writing skills are indispensable in international relations. This course equips students with advanced tools and techniques for conducting rigorous academic research, critically evaluating sources, and crafting scholarly papers. The curriculum includes in-depth instruction on proper citation and referencing formats, ensuring students excel in academic writing and research.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
This course is designed to offer a comprehensive insight and aptitude for developing research proposals and writing of term papers and dissertations by helping to ascertain the type of research to be conducted, the scope, and the appropriate approaches that ensure paramount results. It is geared towards enhancing the ability of students to effectively draft a wide variety of documents through increased sensitivity to language, structure and content. Participants will be exposed to a variety of techniques for drafting documents that are adapted to the audience and have impact. It also aims at developing the skills in research and presentation of findings in the most compelling manner.
COURSE CONTENT:
The course content includes, but is not limited to:
- Social science research methodologies comprising of survey and field research, designing of interview guides and questionnaires, focus group discussions and tools of data
- Beyond text: structure, format and graphics.
- Quality assurance techniques to ensure structural coherence, linguistic clarity, and compelling messages.
- Revising and refining your work. Methodologies to ensure structural integrity and attractiveness, arguments and proofreading techniques
- Approaches to writing a dissertation.
- Revising and refining your work. Methodologies to ensure structural integrity and attractiveness, arguments and proofreading techniques.
MODE OF DELIVERY:
MODE OF ASSESSMENT:
Assessment methods for this course will include written
assignments, practical exercises,
participation in peer discussions, and end-of-course examinations.
The grading criteria will be communicated in the course syllabus.
SUGGESTED READING LIST
1. Bryman, A. (2016). Social Research Methods
(5th Ed). Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2. Mohajan, H. (2018). Qualitative Research
Methodology in Social Sciences and Related Subjects 3. Greene, S. & Lidinsky, A. (2017) From
Inquiry to Academic Writing: A Practical 4. Smith, R.F. (2011). The Craft of Political
Analysis for Diplomats, Potomac Books Incorporated. 5. Strunk, W. (2007). The Elements of Style,
Penguin. 6. Giltrow, J., Gooding, R., & Burgoyne,
D. (2021). Academic writing: An introduction. Broadview Press.