Methodology seminar and introduction to master thesis

Teacher(s)

Conrad Yves; Duez Denis; Fontan Clément;

Language

French

Prerequisites

None.

Main themes

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

This seminar has two objectives. Firstly, it aims to introduce students to the methodological aspects of completing a master's thesis. By the end of the seminar, students should be able to apply the skills necessary to define a research topic and to decide how to tackle this topic in their end of course assignment. Secondly, the seminar gives an introduction to the research and critical analysis of European information. It aims to provide specific know-how in researching the type of documentation needed for writing their thesis. This part of the seminar presents the main documentary sources for European affairs: the ECLAS catalogue, the European Union information and communication websites (Europa, EUR-LEX and Curia), Eurobarometer surveys, statistical data (Eurostat), specialist media, etc. The contribution of this Teaching Unit to the development and command of the skills and learning outcomes of the programme(s) can be accessed at the end of this sheet, in the section entitled “Programmes/courses offering this Teaching Unit”.

Content

Teaching in the seminar will address the main methodological requirements for writing a thesis: presentation of bibliographical references, defining the subject of the research and deciding how to tackle this subject, choice of a conceptual framework and reference methodology, etc. Practical advice will also be given on research strategies, relations with supervisors, and defending theses. The first block of sessions will include practical training on accessing and consulting European information and documentation.

Teaching methods

Evaluation methods

For the first annual set of exams, students will be asked to write an initial 'research report' showing the work done on their end-of-course dissertation. The research report will be assessed by their dissertation supervisor who integrate to this evaluation the effective participation in the training sessions and the knowledge of accessing and consulting European information and documentation.
During the second annual exam session, students will only be assessed on their end-of-course dissertation. Assessment of the dissertation will include a 'defence' of the dissertation, with the dissertation supervisor and a rapporteur.

Other information

The first part of this course is divided into two distinct face-to-face lessons: in French (with Denis Duez) or in English (with Clément Fontan).The "Documentation Training" part is done in a single bilingual group with Yves Conrad.

Bibliography

Beaud, Michel, L'art de la thèse, Paris, La Découverte, Coll. Repères, 2006. Berthelot, Jean-Michel, L'emprise du vrai. Connaissance scientifique et modernité, Paris, PUF, 2008. Box-Steffensmeier, Janet M., Brady, Henry E., Collier, David (eds), The Oxford Handbook of Political Methodology, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2008. Bryman, Alan, Social Research Methods (fourth edition), Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2012. Coman, Tamona, et al., Méthodes de la science politique. De la question de départ à l'analyse des données, Bruxelles, De Boeck, 2016. Harrison, Lisa, Startin, Nicholas, Political Research: An Introduction, London, Routledge, 2001. Lenoble-Pinson, Michèle, La rédaction scientifique, Bruxelles, De Boeck et Larcier, 1996. Marsh, David, Stoker, Gerry Stoker (eds), Theory and Methods in Political Science, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2010. Meyer, Bernard, Maîtriser l'argumentation, Paris, Armand Collin, 2004. Quivy, Raymond, Van Campenhoudt, Luc, Manuel de recherches en sciences sociales, Paris, Dunod, 2006. Rosamond, Ben, Theories of European Integration, Palgrave MacMillan, 2000. Saurugger, Sabine, Théories et concepts de l'intégration européenne, Paris, Presses de Science Po, 2009. Van Campenhoudt, Luc, Introduction à l'analyse des phénomènes sociaux, Paris, Dunod, 2007. Kellstedt, Paul M., Whitten, Guy D., The fundamentals of political science research, Second edition, Cambridge, Cambridge university press, 2013. Burnham, Peter (et al.), Research methods in politics, Second edition, Basingstoke, Palgrave MacMillan, 2008.

Teaching materials

• Site Moodle

Faculty or entity

EURO