RESEARCH METHODS FOR SOCIAL SCIENCES

Qualitative research methods are often used when the focus of the investigation is on exploration, description, and understanding of a social phenomenon from the perspectives of those being studied (e.g., case study research and grounded theory). This course is an introduction to qualitative research with a ‘how-to’, practical focus. The main goal of this course is thus to equip students to critically read, design, conduct, and report qualitative research projects.

BA in political science, management, or related field. NOTE: The medium of instruction of the course, like in the case of the other courses of the GMAP program, is English. Hence, a good grasp of English language is a prerequisite.

Upon successful completion of this course, students: 1. Will have a brief knowledge and understanding of the basic traditions in qualitative research 2. Can describe the common features of qualitative research and the terminology 3. Will have knowledge about the research process involved in a basic qualitative study 4. Will have knowledge of the ethical considerations involved in a basic qualitative study 5. Can critically evaluate the suitability of a qualitative research design, sampling, and data collection technique 6. Will have knowledge on how to conduct the analysis of qualitative semi-structured interview data 7. Can cite the key elements of quality assessment in qualitative research methods 8. Will have knowledge on how to communicate the findings in the form of a scientific research report to specialists and non-specialists.

The structure of the course reflects the research process starting with the generation of a research question, research design, ethical considerations, sampling, data collection, data-analysis, and the writing of a good quality research report. To make sure the students get first-hand experience in conducting a qualitative study, the students will also be required to develop a research project (in groups of 5-6) during the course.

This course involves reading and referring to a series of materials, some of which are listed below. (In some cases, the students are required to read only a part of the material mentioned below. Further details on which parts to read will be provided during the course.) 1. Phineas Gage Brain case study 2. Grant, C. A., Wallace, L. M., & Spurgeon, P. C. (2013). An exploration of the psychological factors affecting remote e‐worker's job effectiveness, well‐being and work‐life balance. Employee Relations. 3. Nair L.B. (2020). From ‘whodunnit’ to ‘how’: Detective stories and auditability in qualitative business ethics research. Journal of Business Ethics. 4. Morse, J. M. (2000). Determining sample size. Qualitative Health Research. 5. Roulston, K., DeMarrais, K., & Lewis, J. B. (2003). Learning to interview in the social sciences. Qualitative Inquiry. 6. Nasr, L., Burton, J., & Gruber, T. (2015). When good news is bad news: the negative impact of positive customer feedback on front-line employee well-being. Journal of Services Marketing. 7. Sample interview transcripts (4 no.s) 8. Materials on using NVivo software for data analysis 9. Ravasi, D., & Schultz, M. (2006). Responding to organizational identity threats: Exploring the role of organizational culture. Academy of Management Journal. 10. Browning, L. D., Beyer, J. M., & Shetler, J. C. (1995). Building cooperation in a competitive industry: SEMATECH and the semiconductor industry. Academy of Management Journal.

Weekly class format: 1 hour 30 minutes (plenary) + 1 hour 30 minutes (+1 hour 30 minutes breakout every other week). The total number of class hours will be as follows: 3 hours per week when the breakout is not foreseen, and 4 hours and 30 minutes per week when the breakout is foreseen. The breakout classes are foreseen every other week (i.e. once per fortnight). The classes include the following: - Theory part - Practical examples - Instructions & clarification of queries related to the group work and the exam Students are required to read relevant chapters and assigned materials before each class. The students are expected to work together on the group activities, inside and outside the classroom. Specific instructions for group work will be given during each class.

The grades of the Research Methods for Social Sciences (RMSS) course depend on group work as well as individual exams. The students need to pass two checkpoints (during the course) and attend an exam at the end of the course, to pass the RMSS course. For the group work, the students will be divided into groups of 5-6 members each. Note: 1. Attendance and participation in class activities are crucial for this course. Students who actively participate in at least 70% of classes are considered to be attending. Students who do not reach the minimum classroom attendance threshold of 70% become non-compliant. 2. Attending students are involved in a continuous assessment that corresponds to one-third (1/3) of the overall evaluation. There are two checkpoints mentioned in the schedule. The students need to “pass” each checkpoint to be eligible for attending the final exam. At each checkpoint, the students will receive the instructor’s feedback. In the exam sessions, attending students will take an individual final exam that corresponds to two-thirds (2/3) of the overall evaluation 4. Plagiarism and academic dishonesty are unacceptable. Suspected violations will be handled according to standard LUISS procedures. Further details of the grading process and the grades are included below. EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR ATTENDING STUDENTS The grades of RMSS will be decided on the basis of the students’ attendance, the performance during the 2 checkpoints, and the grade of the final exam. The RMSS course follows a 30-point grade system. 1. ATTENDANCE - A minimum of 70% of attendance is required as per LUISS regulations 2. CHECKPOINTS - The students have to pass each checkpoint before proceeding with the other graded activities that follow. The weightage of the first & second checkpoint is 5 points each (total grade for checkpoints is 10, i.e. 1/3 of the course grades.) 3. FINAL EXAM - The final exam has a weightage of 20 points (2/3 of total grades of the course). NOTE: Detailed instructions for the checkpoints and the final exam will be provided in due course. EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS Without prejudice to the mandatory attendance requirement as stipulated in the University's Didactic Regulations (Regolamento Didattico di Ateneo), students on international exchange, with proven health problems, engaged in work or internship, and athletes may be exempted from compulsory attendance. The request to be exempted from compulsory attendance should be submitted to the Graduate School office, with appropriate supporting documentation, by the first week of the semester. Students who are thus exempted from compulsory attendance or are non-compliant, shall take a final examination that corresponds to 100% of the overall grades. Such non-attending students are required to refer to and learn from the Power Point slides, reading materials, and other information which will be regularly uploaded in the LUISS Learn page of the course.

Any student who achieves a score above 28 in this course, and is interested in being supervised by the professor for the final thesis, is encouraged to contact the professor directly with a brief thesis proposal (of 500 words maximum).