Research Design and Methods for interdisciplinary studies

The course will reflect the wide variety of methods and techniques in the contemporary social sciences. The aim of the course is to give students with backgrounds from different academic disciplines an introduction to systematic social science thinking which includes an introduction to the philosophy of sciences as well as methodologies, methods and techniques commonly used in contemporary social sciences. In addition, the aim is to give practical guidelines for students on the way to their master thesis. The course will encourage students to reflect on topics for their master thesis. Furthermore, students will gain first experience in formulating a research problem and different exercises will be undertaken which will help the students to write a first research proposal for their later master thesis.

The course will introduce students with little or no experience in the social sciences to systematic social-science thinking. It will include an introduction to the philosophy of sciences as well as methodologies, methods and techniques commonly used in contemporary social sciences.

2 hours lectures/seminars per week.