Department of International Relations

Faculty of Social Sciences

National University of Modern Languages (NUML)
Islamabad

COURSE OUTLINE & TEACHING PLAN

BSIR Program

Course Name Research Methodology

Course Code IRRM-228
Credit Hours 3 Credit hours
Course Prerequisites Registered students of BSIR 6th semester
Semester 6th
Instructor Dr Sajid Iqbal
Consultation Day/s &
Monday to Thursday (11:00-11:45am)
Hours
E-mail [email protected]

Course Description
This course provides students with a comprehensive introduction to research methodology and
techniques commonly used in the fields of politics and international relations. It equips students
with the necessary skills to conduct independent research, analyze data, and critically evaluate
existing research in the field.
Course Objectives
1. The primary objective of this course is to introduce the students with the practice of
research in social sciences, especially in the field of international relations.
2. Besides understanding the key concepts, it is about three main phases: the planning, the
execution and the reporting in which the course has been devised. It explores the issues and
processes to facilitate the preparation of research projects.
 Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Understand the research process and various research methodologies.
2. Formulate research questions and hypotheses.
3. Examine the philosophical underpinnings of research.
4. Conduct literature reviews and critically assess academic sources.
5. Collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data.
6. Apply ethical principles in research.
7. Communicate research findings effectively.

Grading Policy & Student Assessment Criteria

Assessment Instruments* Percentage LO Covered

Quiz(s) -
Prelim (Discussion, Quiz, Viva, Assignments, Presentation, 5+5=10
20%
Literature Review, Research Report) Assignments- 5
Presentations- 5
Mid Term Exam 30 % LO 1,2,3….
Final Exam 50% LO 1,2,3….

Weekly Content Breakdown

Class Activity
Learning & Assessment
Week Topic Course Objectives
Outcome Instrument/
Percentage %
Introduction of Course Discussion
What is Research?
1 1,2 1, 2…
Why is Research Important in Social
Science?
Suggested Reading/s: Chapter One, Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches by W.
Lawrence Neumann, Seventh Edition. 2014.
What are the Alternatives to Social
Research?
2 1,2 1,2, 6
Research Vs. Alternatives
Ethics in research.
Suggested Reading/s: Chapter One, Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches by W.
Lawrence Neumann, Seventh Edition. 2014
Introduction to Research and
Philosophical Foundations
3 1,2 1,2,3
Ontology, Epistemology and
Methodology
Suggested Reading/s: Chapter Four. Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches by
W. Lawrence Neumann, Seventh Edition. 2014, page 91.
The role of Theory in Research
4 1,2 3
Inductive vs. Deductive Reasoning
Suggested Reading/s: Chapter Three, Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches by
W. Lawrence Neumann, Seventh Edition. 2014, page 55.
5 Quiz No 1. 1, 2 1, 2, or 3 5
Suggested Reading/s:
Research Design
6 1,2 1
Types of research designs.
Suggested Reading/s: Chapter Two. Christopher Lamont, Research Methods in International Relations: Sage,
2015. Page 53 onwards.
Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research
7 Methods 1,2 5
Mixed Method Research
Suggested Reading/s: Chapter Five and Six. Christopher Lamont, Research Methods in International
Relations: Sage, 2015.
8 Mid-Term Exam 30
Data Collection and Data Analysis in
9 1,2 4
Research
Suggested Reading/s: Chapter Five, six and Seven. Christopher Lamont, Research Methods in International
Relations: Sage, 2015.
The research process: from idea to
10 1,2 1
publication.
Suggested Reading/s: Chapter 12. Christopher Lamont, Research Methods in International Relations: Sage,
2015.
Discussion on Research Topics and
11 1,2 1, 2
Research Questions
Suggested Reading/s: Chapter Two. Christopher Lamont, Research Methods in International Relations: Sage,
2015.
Literature Review
12 1,2 L4
Methods, types and Importance
Suggested Reading/s: Chapter Five, Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches by W.
Lawrence Neumann, Seventh Edition. 2014.
Proposal Writing
How to write Introduction
13 1,2 2,7
How to write Problem Statement
How to write significance etc…
Suggested Reading/s: Chapter Twelve. Christopher Lamont, Research Methods in International Relations:
Sage, 2015.
Quiz No 2 5
14 1, 2 1, 2, or 3
Assignment Submission 5
Suggested Reading/s:
Citations in Research 5
Presentations (to be conducted
15 1,2 6
throughout the semester)
Reporting of Research Findings
Suggested Reading/s: Chicago Manual of citations 17th edition
16 Final Exam 50

Teaching Methodology
 Lectures
 Multimedia: Slides/ Documentaries/ Video Clips
 Interactive Sessions/ Q&A Sessions
 Guest Speakers’ Lectures/ Talks
Text Book/s
1. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches" by John W.
Creswell and J. David Creswell.
2. Christopher Lamont, Research Methods in International Relations: Sage, 2015.
Recommended Readings
1. Social Science Research: Principles, Methods, and Practices by Anol Bhattacherjee,
University of South Florida
2. Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches by W. Lawrence
Neumann, Seventh Edition.
Important Instructions

 Regularity and punctuality is highly acknowledged.

 Punctuality: Students are advised to stay punctual. Coming late to the class habitually
results into marked absence; however, student should be allowed to sit in the classroom
will be teacher’s discretion.
 Regularity: University’s attendance policy will be followed strictly.
 Students are bound to maintain class decorum which is explained in the initial classes.
Students are expected to show the best of their manners while attending lectures, taking
exams, and taking part into interactive sessions.
 No mobile phones/ smart gadgets are allowed to be used in the class room.
 Students with special needs will be addressed/ facilitated according to the university
policy.
 Students are advised firmly to follow the deadlines given by the teacher regarding the
assigned tasks.
 Plagiarism in written assignments/research reports and cheating or using other unfair
means during assessments will strictly be penalized.