Food Engineering (English)
Bachelor	TR-NQF-HE: Level 6	QF-EHEA: First Cycle	EQF-LLL: Level 6

General course introduction information

Course Code:

IRL204

Course Name:

Research Methods in International Relations

Course Semester:

Fall

Course Credits:

Theoretical	Practical	Credit	ECTS
3	0	3	6

Language of instruction:

Course Requisites:

Does the Course Require Work Experience?:

Type of course:

Compulsory

Course Level:

Bachelor

TR-NQF-HE:6. Master`s Degree

QF-EHEA:First Cycle

EQF-LLL:6. Master`s Degree

Mode of Delivery:

Face to face

Course Coordinator :

Prof. Dr. UMUT AZAK

Course Lecturer(s):

Dr.Öğr.Üyesi HASAN DENİZ PEKŞEN
Assoc. Prof. OYA KENT BIRIK
Dr.Öğr.Üyesi FATMA SEBLA UZUNTEPE
Dr.Öğr.Üyesi ÇAĞLAR AKAR

Course Assistants:

Course Objective and Content

Course Objectives:	The purpose of this course is to introduce the basic concepts, methods and approaches in social research. The course aims to develop students’ capacities of critical thinking, analytical skills as well as learning research techniques in social sciences.
Course Content:	Doing Social Research; Science, Social Sciences, Different Paradigms; Theory and Research; Ethics in Social Research; Reviewing the Scholarly Literature and Planning a Study; Conducting Quantitative Research; Conducting Qualitative Research; Writing a Research Report.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;

Learning Outcomes

1 - Knowledge
Theoretical - Conceptual
1) • Evaluate academic works critically
2) • Identify different approaches to social sciences
3) • Identify main research methods in social sciences
4) • Put logical reasoning and conceptual abstraction skills into practice
2 - Skills
Cognitive - Practical
3 - Competences
Communication and Social Competence
Learning Competence
Field Specific Competence
Competence to Work Independently and Take Responsibility

Lesson Plan

Week	Subject	Related Preparation
1)	• Describe the content of the syllabus. • List the course outline • Explain the relevance of the course book and its author. • List extra course materials • Explain the grading system evaluation methods. • List the themes covered by the course. • Explain the tasks related with the course themes. • Familiarize with the reading material. • Explain the relevance of voluntary reading and visual materials. • Describe the evaluation system as related to different requirements.	Watch the film “Inherit the Wind” (1960) and answer the set of questions given by the lecturer until the next week’s class.
2)	• Differentiate different ways of reaching knowledge. • Explain the difference of science from other sources of knowledge. • Discuss the relationship between science and religion. • Recognize different approaches on epistemology. • Explain characteristics of social sciences. • Recognize the difference of science from other ways of reaching knowledge. • Explain the advantages of knowledge based on science. • List the characteristics of science and its difference from religion. • Define and discuss the meanings of concepts such as “normative”, “critical”, “objective”. • Identify the place of social sciences vis-à-vis natural sciences.	Read the assigned readings for next class session from: Neuman, Basics of Social Research, 2011, p. 2 -22
3)	• Recognize the difference of social research from other sources of knowledge. • Explain how science works. • Explain the procedure of the social research. • Identify different dimensions of research. • Recognize different types of social research. • Identify alternatives to social research. • Describe the logic of scientific research. • List the different steps of the social research process. • Examines how social research designs differ according to the dimensions of time, level and scope. • Classify research on the basis of how their results are used.	Read the assigned readings for next class session from: Neuman, Basics of Social Research, 2011, p. 41-45. Gulbenkian Commission, Open the Social Sciences, The Development of Social Sciences.
4)	• Define what “scientific theory” is. • Explain the different parts of a theory. • List the aspects of theory. • Compare the three major approaches to social science • Examines paradigms of social sciences with reference to their epistemological approaches. • Describe the characteristics of “scientific theory”. • Define the different parts of a theory: Concepts, conceptualization • Explain the aspects of theory: Time, range, etc. • List the critical, positivist, interpretative approaches in social sciences. • Discuss whether social sciences can be value-free.	Read the assigned reading for next class session from: Neuman, Basics of Social Research, 2011, p. 23-41.
5)	• Recognize the centrality of ethics for social sciences • Explain how power relations are integral to the practice of social sciences. • List major ethical issues involving research participants. • Explain how ethical issues are dealt within the scientific community. • Discuss the ethical issues related with the sponsors of research. • Recognize the centrality of ethics for social sciences • Explain how power relations are integral to the practice of social sciences. • List major ethical issues involving research participants. • Explain how ethical issues are dealt within the scientific community. • Discuss the ethical issues related with the sponsors of research.	Read the assigned reading for next class session from: Neuman, Basics of Social Research, 2011, p. 47-67.
6)	• Explain how literature review can be done. • Examines how to use academic sources • Discuss the uses of the internet for social research. • Recognize the presence of quantitative orientations toward research. • Recognize the presence of qualitative orientations toward research. • Recognize necessary sources needed for literature review. • List different sources of academic literature. • Explain the advantages and disadvantages of the use of internet for social research. • Explore the characteristics of the survey method. • Explain the qualitative methods such as participant observation, field-work, historical-comparative research.	Read the assigned reading for next class session from: Neuman, Basics of Social Research, 2011, p. 68-107.
7)	• Recognize the process of measurement. • Explain the need for measurement • Compare quantitative and qualitative measurement • List the parts of the measurement process. • Discuss how to evaluate the efficiency of the measurement. • Explain the processes of formulating hypotheses and measuring variables. • Describe the uses of measurement • Illustrate the difference between quantitative and qualitative measurements • Explain different constituents of the measurement. • Define and compare “reliability” and “validity”.	Read the assigned reading for next class session from: Neuman, Basics of Social Research, 2011, p. 108-139.
8)	• Recognize the logic of survey research. • Explain how questionnaire is constructed. • List types of surveys. • Compare the advantages and disadvantages of survey types. • Explain the technique of interviewing. • List the characteristics of survey research. • Define the logic of preparing a questionnaire. • Differentiate different types of surveys. • Compare the efficiency of survey types. • Discuss the method of interviewing.	Read the assigned reading for next class session from: Neuman, Basics of Social Research 2011, p. 247-272.
9)	• Identify the logic of field research. • Explain how a site is chosen and accessed. • Recognize the specific characteristics of relations in the field. • Explain the processes of observing and collecting data. • Explain the technique of the field research interview. • Explain the characteristics of field research. • Discuss method of choosing and reaching the site. • Recognize the importance of relations between actors in the field. • Describe the stages of data collection. • Discuss the method of interviewing in field research.	Read the assigned reading for next class session from: Neuman, Basics of Social Research, 2011, p. 275-303.
10)	• Identify the logic of historical comparative research. • List the steps of the historical comparative research project. • Explain the peculiarities of data and evidence in historical and comparative research. • Illustrate research examples based on historical and comparative method. • Differentiate primary and secondary materials in data collection. • Explain the characteristics of historical comparative method. • Identify the activities of a historical comparative research project. • Discuss the difference of historical and comparative method from others. • Differentiate research based on historical and comparative method • Define the concepts of primary and secondary materials.	Read the assigned reading for next class session from: Neuman, Basics of Social Research, 2011, p. 304-343.
11)	• Compare qualitative and quantitative methods in social sciences • List the advantages of the qualitative method • List the advantages of the quantitative method • List the disadvantages of the qualitative method • List the disadvantages of the quantitative method • Explain basic characteristics of qualitative and quantitative methods. • Illustrates the positive aspects of the qualitative method in terms of data collection and validity. • Illustrates the positive aspects of the quantitative method in terms of data collection and validity. • Illustrates the negative aspects of the qualitative method in terms of data collection and validity. • Illustrates the negative aspects of the quantitative method in terms of data collection and validity.
12)	• Explain the steps of writing a paper or report • Compare different methods of making references to sources • Explain how bibliographies are prepared • Recognize the importance of style in the use of language: academic style • Explain how the format of the paper/report should be. • Describe how to write a a paper or report • Explore different citation rules and methods. • List the rules of preparing a bibliography • Define “academic style” in the use of language • Illustrate the format of the paper/report.	Read the assigned reading for next class session from: Neuman, Basics of Social Research, 2011, p. 344-359
13)	• Explain some of the most frequent logical fallacies • Illustrate the importance of logical argumentation. • Explain the importance of correct spelling • Explain the differences between oral and written languages. • List the differences between academic and normative languages. • List typical logical fallacies • Recognize the importance of logical thinking in academic writing. • List typical spelling mistakes. • Recognize the difference in the styles of oral and written languages. • Differentiate between academic and normative languages.
15)	• Evaluate students via final exam • Evaluate students’ familiarity with the central concepts of social research via final exam • Differentiate between different methods. • Reviewing the course content. • Discuss the common mistakes of the written papers. • Discuss the students’ experiences of doing research and writing their paper. • Evaluate students via final exam • Explain definitions of basic concepts of research methods • Explain differences between different types of social research • Evaluate familiarity with the course content. • Recognize the common mistakes of the written papers. • List the lessons learned while doing research and writing paper.

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks:

Lawrence Neuman, Toplumsal Araştırma Yöntemleri, İstanbul: Yayınodası Yayıncılık, 2012.

Lawrence Neuman, Basics of Social Research: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. 7th Edition. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon, 2011.
ISBN-13: 978-0205615964| ISBN-10: 0205615961

References:

Immanuel Wallerstein, Sosyal Bilimleri Açın: Sosyal Bilimlerin Yeniden Yapılanması Üzerine Rapor, İstanbul: Metis, 2014.
ISBN-13: 978-975-342-099-0
Keith F. Punch, Sosyal Araştırmalara Giriş: Nitel ve Nicel Yaklaşımlar. Ankara: Siyasal Kitabevi, 2005.
ISBN: 9789756325391

Immanuel Wallerstein, Open the Social Sciences: Report of the Gulbenkian Commission on the Restructuring of the Social Sciences, Stanford University Press, 1996.
ISBN-13: 978-0804727273 / ISBN-10: 0804727279

Course-Program Learning Outcome Relationship

Learning Outcomes	1	2	3	4
Program Outcomes
1) Has sufficient background in mathematics, science and engineering related fields.
2) Uses the theoretical and practical knowledge in mathematics, science and their fields together for engineering solutions.
3) Identifies, formulates and solves engineering problems, selects and applies appropriate analytical methods and modeling techniques for this purpose.
4) Analyze a system, system component or process and design it under realistic constraints to meet desired requirements; apply modern design methods accordingly.
5) Selects and uses the modern techniques and tools necessary for engineering applications.
6) Design experiments, conduct experiments, collect data, analyze and interpret results.
7) Works individually and in multi-disciplinary teams.
8) Accesses information and conducts resource research for this purpose, uses databases and other information sources.
9) Accesses information and conducts resource research for this purpose, uses databases and other information sources.
10) Accesses information and conducts resource research for this purpose, uses databases and other information sources.
11) Uses the theoretical and practical knowledge in mathematics, science and their fields together for engineering solutions.
12) Identifies, formulates and solves engineering problems, selects and applies appropriate analytical methods and modeling techniques for this purpose.
13) Analyze a system, system component or process and design it under realistic constraints to meet desired requirements; apply modern design methods accordingly.
14) Selects and uses the modern techniques and tools necessary for engineering applications.
15) Works individually and in multi-disciplinary teams
16) Uses information and communication technologies together with computer software required by the field at least Advanced Level of European Computer Skills License.
17) Communicate effectively verbally and in writing; use a foreign language at least at level B1 of the European Language Portfolio.
18) Communicates using technical drawing.
19) Accesses information and conducts resource research for this purpose, uses databases and other information sources.
20) Becomes aware of the universal and social effects of engineering solutions and applications; entrepreneurship and innovation and have knowledge about the problems of the age.
21) Has professional and ethical responsibility.
22) Have awareness of project management, workplace practices, employee health, environmental and occupational safety; the legal consequences of engineering applications.
23) Demonstrates awareness of the universal and social impact of engineering solutions and applications; is aware of entrepreneurship and innovation and has knowledge about the problems of the age.

Course - Learning Outcome Relationship

No Effect	1 Lowest	2 Low	3 Average	4 High	5 Highest

	Program Outcomes	Level of Contribution
1)	Has sufficient background in mathematics, science and engineering related fields.
2)	Uses the theoretical and practical knowledge in mathematics, science and their fields together for engineering solutions.
3)	Identifies, formulates and solves engineering problems, selects and applies appropriate analytical methods and modeling techniques for this purpose.
4)	Analyze a system, system component or process and design it under realistic constraints to meet desired requirements; apply modern design methods accordingly.
5)	Selects and uses the modern techniques and tools necessary for engineering applications.
6)	Design experiments, conduct experiments, collect data, analyze and interpret results.
7)	Works individually and in multi-disciplinary teams.
8)	Accesses information and conducts resource research for this purpose, uses databases and other information sources.
9)	Accesses information and conducts resource research for this purpose, uses databases and other information sources.
10)	Accesses information and conducts resource research for this purpose, uses databases and other information sources.
11)	Uses the theoretical and practical knowledge in mathematics, science and their fields together for engineering solutions.
12)	Identifies, formulates and solves engineering problems, selects and applies appropriate analytical methods and modeling techniques for this purpose.
13)	Analyze a system, system component or process and design it under realistic constraints to meet desired requirements; apply modern design methods accordingly.
14)	Selects and uses the modern techniques and tools necessary for engineering applications.
15)	Works individually and in multi-disciplinary teams
16)	Uses information and communication technologies together with computer software required by the field at least Advanced Level of European Computer Skills License.
17)	Communicate effectively verbally and in writing; use a foreign language at least at level B1 of the European Language Portfolio.
18)	Communicates using technical drawing.
19)	Accesses information and conducts resource research for this purpose, uses databases and other information sources.
20)	Becomes aware of the universal and social effects of engineering solutions and applications; entrepreneurship and innovation and have knowledge about the problems of the age.
21)	Has professional and ethical responsibility.
22)	Have awareness of project management, workplace practices, employee health, environmental and occupational safety; the legal consequences of engineering applications.
23)	Demonstrates awareness of the universal and social impact of engineering solutions and applications; is aware of entrepreneurship and innovation and has knowledge about the problems of the age.

Learning Activity and Teaching Methods

Expression
Individual study and homework
Lesson
Reading
Homework
Report Writing
Q&A / Discussion

Assessment & Grading Methods and Criteria

Written Exam (Open-ended questions, multiple choice, true-false, matching, fill in the blanks, sequencing)
Homework
Individual Project
Presentation

Assessment & Grading

Semester Requirements	Number of Activities	Level of Contribution
Attendance	1	% 10
Quizzes	10	% 40
Project	1	% 10
Final	1	% 40
total		% 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK		% 60
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK		% 40
total		% 100

Workload and ECTS Credit Grading

Activities	Number of Activities	Workload
Course Hours	15	45
Study Hours Out of Class	15	30
Project	15	30
Quizzes	15	30
Paper Submission	15	30
Final	14	28
Total Workload		193