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Global Affairs, International Relations and Politics

Research Methods

Understanding research methods is fundamental for anyone navigating the complex world of international relations, global affairs, and politics. Whether you're analysing international conflicts, evaluating the impact of foreign policy, or understanding the dynamics of global governance, a strong foundation in research will empower you to critically assess information, develop persuasive arguments, and contribute to meaningful solutions.

Overview of Research Methods

  • Qualitative Methods: Gain in-depth insights into the perspectives of various stakeholders, the cultural context of political events, and the motivations behind international actions through interviews, focus groups, case studies, discourse analysis, and participant observation.
  • Quantitative Methods: Analyse numerical data to identify patterns in global trends, assess the effectiveness of international aid programs, evaluate the impact of sanctions, or explore correlations between economic factors and political outcomes using surveys, statistical analysis, and modeling techniques.
  • Mixed Methods: Combine qualitative and quantitative approaches to gain a comprehensive understanding of multifaceted global challenges, such as the relationship between climate change and migration, the effectiveness of peacebuilding initiatives, or the impact of globalisation on local communities.
  • Desk-Based Research:
    • Literature Review: Critically evaluate existing scholarly literature, including books, journal articles, and reports, to synthesise knowledge, identify research gaps, and build a theoretical framework for your own research.
    • Policy Analysis: Examine government documents, policy briefs, and legal texts to understand the intent, implementation, and impact of specific policies on international relations and global affairs.

Selecting the Right Method

  • Research Questions: Your research question serves as your compass. Are you exploring the reasons behind a specific conflict? Examining the impact of a trade agreement? Investigating the role of non-state actors in global governance? Your question will guide your choice of methodology.
  • Research Goals: What do you hope to achieve with your research? Do you need to describe the geopolitical landscape of a region, explain the causes of a humanitarian crisis, predict the outcome of an election, or evaluate the success of a peacekeeping mission? Your goals will shape your research design.
  • Resources: Consult books, articles, and online platforms (e.g., Foreign Affairs, JSTOR) to learn more about various research methods and identify the best fit for your study.

Resources for Learning Research Methods

  • Library Search: Seek out books and ebooks on international relations research methods, qualitative research in global politics, quantitative methods in political science, and mixed methods approaches.
  • Library Databases: Consult databases like Web of Science, Scopus, and Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) to access relevant research articles and explore their methodology.
  • Library Guides: The library has a number of guides on research topics, including research ethics, literature reviews, finding primary sources (like government documents and historical archives), and more.
  • LinkedIn Learning: LinkedIn Learning contains a wide range of videos and online courses on research design, data collection, and analysis.
  • Online Courses: Platforms like FutureLearn, Coursera, edX, and Udemy offer courses on research design, data analysis, and research methods.
  • Professional Organisations: Consider joining organisations like the International Studies Association (ISA) or the British International Studies Association (BISA) for access to research publications, conferences, and networking opportunities with other scholars in the field.

Research in international relations, global affairs, and politics increasingly relies on data analysis to understand complex global trends, the behaviour of states and non-state actors, the impact of policies, and the effectiveness of international interventions. This section equips you with essential knowledge about key data sources and tools for analysing information relevant to global issues.

Key Datasets for Global Affairs Research

  • World Bank Data: Explore a wealth of data on global development indicators, including poverty, inequality, economic growth, health, education, and governance.
  • United Nations Data: Access data on various global issues, such as conflict, human rights, refugees, trade, and climate change, through various UN agencies and departments (e.g., UNHCR, UNDP, WHO).
  • World Values Survey (WVS): Gain insights into global attitudes, values, and beliefs on a wide range of social and political issues through this cross-national survey.
  • Polity IV Project: Analyse data on regime types, political transitions, and levels of democracy across countries and over time.
  • Correlates of War (COW) Project: Access datasets on interstate wars, militarised disputes, and other forms of political violence

Finding and Accessing Data

Data Analysis Tools and Software

  • SPSS: A widely used statistical software for analyzing quantitative data on global trends, conducting regression analysis, and testing hypotheses.
  • NVivo: A qualitative data analysis software for organizing and analyzing interview transcripts, policy documents, speeches, and other textual data sources.
  • R: A free, open-source programming language for more advanced statistical modeling, network analysis, and data visualization relevant to political science and international relations research.
  • Excel: A versatile tool for basic data analysis, visualisation, and reporting.

As a sociology student, it's essential to be aware of ethical considerations in research and to maintain academic integrity.

Ethical Considerations in Sociological Research

  • Informed Consent: Ensure participants understand the purpose of your research, the procedures involved, and their right to withdraw at any time.
  • Confidentiality and Anonymity: Protect the privacy of your participants by keeping their information confidential and ensuring their anonymity in your research findings.
  • Potential Harm to Participants: Consider any potential risks or harms to participants, both physical and psychological, and take steps to minimise them.

Avoiding Plagiarism

  • Proper Citation and Referencing: Always give credit to the original authors of the ideas, theories, and data you use in your research. Use a consistent referencing style (e.g., Harvard) and cite all sources correctly.
  • Plagiarism Detection Software: Familiarise yourself with plagiarism detection software like Turnitin to check your work for unintentional plagiarism.

Resources for Ethical Research Practices

  • College Ethics Committee: Consult your college's ethics committee for guidance and approval before conducting research involving human participants.
  • University Policies and Guidelines: Review the university's policies on research ethics and academic integrity.
  • Library Guides: The library has a number of guides on research topics, including ethics, literature reviews, open access, and more.