EU471     
Researching Migration: research questions and research methods

This information is for the 2025/26 session.

Course Convenor

Dr Eiko Thielemann

Dr Pat Mcgovern

Availability

This course is compulsory on the MSc in International Migration and Public Policy and MSc in International Migration and Public Policy (LSE and Sciences Po). This course is not available as an outside option to students on other programmes.

The Moodle page can be accessed by any European Institute student.

Course content

Having introduced the students to a range of possible research strategies, the students will identify appropriate research methods training for their proposed thesis and undertake a number of practical exercises to help develop their ideas. They will also prepare informal seminar presentations on their proposed topic during AT and WT. Early in the ST, they will present their proposal in a ‘Three-Minute-Thesis' workshop. A final proposal will be submitted after this workshop having completed a 2000 word prospectus on some aspect of the proposed dissertation. At each stage, participants will be encouraged to use feedback from the course convenors and fellow students to help develop their research.

Teaching

2 hours of lectures and 2 hours of seminars in the Autumn Term.
2 hours of lectures and 2 hours of seminars in the Winter Term.
2 hours of seminars in the Spring Term.

Lectures 2 x 2 hours (6); Seminars 3 x 2 hours (4).

Formative assessment

Students will be expected to produce 3 presentations across the AT, WT and ST.

 

Indicative reading

Bryman, A. (2008) Social Research Methods, H62 B91;
Gilbert, N. (ed.) (2008) Researching Social Life H62 R 43;
Hancke, R. (2009) Intelligent Research Design: A Guide for Beginning Students in the Social Sciences, H62 H23;  
Landman, T. (2007) Issues and Methods in Comparative Politics, JF51 L25;
Silverman, D. (2002) Doing Qualitative Research: A Practical Handbook H62 S58.

Assessment

This course is not assessed.


Key facts

Department: European Institute

Course Study Period: Autumn, Winter and Spring Term

Unit value: Non-credit bearing

FHEQ Level: Level 7

CEFR Level: Null

Total students 2024/25: 50

Average class size 2024/25: 13

Controlled access 2024/25: No
Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Course selection videos

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Personal development skills

  • Leadership
  • Self-management
  • Problem solving
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication
  • Application of numeracy skills
  • Specialist skills