EU470
How do we know? An introduction to research design and methods in political economy
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Robert Basedow
Dr Angelo Martelli
Availability
This course is compulsory on the MSc in Political Economy of Europe in the World and MSc in Political Economy of Europe in the World (LSE and Sciences Po). This course is available on the MSc in Culture and Conflict in a Global Europe (LSE & Columbia) and MSc in Political Economy of Europe in the World (LSE and Fudan). This course is not available as an outside option to students on other programmes. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
This course is only available to students studying on European Institute programmes, where regulations permit.
Not available as an outside option.
The first round of offers will be made from 12-noon on Friday 26 September. The final deadline for applications is 12-noon of Friday of Autumn Term week 2.
For queries contact: ei@lse.ac.uk
The Moodle page can be accessed by any European Institute student.
Course content
The course introduces students to research design and core methods in political economy. It raises awareness for ontological and epistemological challenges in political economy and offers guidance on how to develop research questions. It further introduces students to the logic of case study research, most similar and most dissimilar research designs and offers an introduction into the logic of quantitative methods and notably regression analysis. The course is delivered through interactive lectures with theoretical and applied parts and group exercises. It is compulsory and unassessed for all students on MSc Political Economy of Europe and MSc Double Degree in the Political Economy of Europe (LSE & Sciences Po). The course is optional for students on the MSc Double Degree in the Global Political Economy of China and Europe (LSE & Fudan).
Teaching
4.5 hours of lectures in the Winter Term.
4.5 hours of lectures in the Autumn Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn and Winter Term.
Formative assessment
This course is unassessed.
Indicative reading
- George, Alexander, and Andrew Bennett. Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Sciences. BCSIA Studies in International Security. Cambridge: MIT Press, 2005.
- Gerring, John. 2004. “What Is a Case Study and What Is It Good for?” American Political Science Review 98, 2 (May): 341-354.
- Hancké, Bob. Intelligent Research Design: A Guide for Beginning Researchers in the Social Sciences. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009.
- King, Gary, Robert Keohane, and Sidney Verba. Designing Social Inquiry: Scientific Inference in Qualitative Research. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1994.
- O’Neil, Weapons of Math destruction, Penguine, 2016.
- Przeworski, Adam, and Henry Teune. 1970. The Logic of Comparative Social Inquiry. New York: John Wiley & sons, Inc. pp. 3-46.
- Seawright, J. and Gerring, J., 2008. Case selection techniques in case study research: A menu of qualitative and quantitative options. Political research quarterly, 61(2), pp.294-308.
- Van Evera, S., 1997. Guide to methods for students of political science. Cornell University Press.
Assessment
This course is unassessed.
Key facts
Department: European Institute
Course Study Period: Autumn and Winter Term
Unit value: Non-credit bearing
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 107
Average class size 2024/25: 107
Controlled access 2024/25: NoCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication