Mixed Methods Research for Political Science Training Course

Mixed Methods Research for Political Science Training Course

Introduction

Mixed Methods Research for Political Science Training Course is designed to equip a new generation of researchers, analysts, and policy professionals with the skills to tackle today's most complex sociopolitical issues. In an era of data-driven decision-making and evidence-based policy, relying on a single research paradigm is insufficient. This course addresses that gap by providing a comprehensive framework for integrating quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Participants will learn how to synthesize diverse data sources, from large-scale surveys to in-depth case studies, to produce more robust, nuanced, and credible research findings. This holistic approach is essential for conducting impactful political science research that accurately reflects the complexity of the real world.

This intensive program offers a practical, hands-on learning experience. The curriculum focuses on both the theoretical underpinnings of mixed methods and their practical application in real-world political science contexts. The course will cover everything from research design and data triangulation to advanced techniques like process tracing and nested analysis. Participants will not only master the techniques but also learn the art of justifying methodological choices and communicating findings to diverse audiences, from academic peers to policymakers. The goal is to foster a new class of multimethodological experts who can produce compelling, policy-relevant research that drives meaningful change.

Course Duration

5 days

Course Objectives

1. Master Mixed Methods Research (MMR) design and its application in political science.
2. Develop a critical understanding of the epistemological and ontological foundations of MMR.
3. Learn to integrate quantitative and qualitative data to enhance research validity and reliability.
4. Acquire skills in data triangulation, convergence, and divergence analysis.
5. Design and execute sequential, concurrent, and transformative MMR designs.
6. Understand the role of case studies within a broader mixed-method framework.
7. Analyze and interpret complex social and political phenomena with a multimethodological lens.
8. Formulate policy-relevant research questions that can be answered with MMR.
9. Gain proficiency in qualitative data analysis software and quantitative statistical packages.
10. Develop a research proposal for an independent MMR project.
11. Effectively communicate nuanced research findings to academic and non-academic audiences.
12. Explore the ethical considerations and challenges unique to MMR.
13. Apply MMR to current global governance, public policy, and political behavior challenges.

Organizational Benefits

• Empowers organizations with staff who can conduct more rigorous, comprehensive, and credible research, reducing the need for costly external consultants.
• Produces research findings that are more nuanced and robust, leading to more effective and evidence-based policy solutions.
• Fosters a culture of methodological innovation, positioning the organization as a leader in cutting-edge political science and social research.
• Equips staff to produce compelling, publishable, and highly cited research that increases the organization's academic and policy influence.
• Mitigates the limitations of single-method studies, leading to a more accurate understanding of complex issues and more reliable conclusions.

Target Audience

1. Graduate students in political science, public policy, and international relations.
2. Early-career academics and research fellows.
3. Policy analysts and researchers at governmental and non-governmental organizations.
4. Data scientists and researchers at think tanks.
5. NGO and civil society researchers working on advocacy and program evaluation.
6. Journalists and media analysts specializing in political reporting.
7. Consultants providing expertise in political risk and public affairs.
8. Development practitioners involved in program design and impact assessment.

Course Outline

Module 1: Foundations of Mixed Methods Research

• Understanding the Paradigms.
• Why Mix? Examining the rationale for MMR: complementarity, triangulation, and initiation.
• Core Research Designs.
• Mixed-Methods in Political Science.
• Case Study: Analyzing a study on democratic backsliding that uses quantitative data (e.g., V-Dem indices) to identify a trend and qualitative case studies (e.g., in-depth interviews with political elites) to explain the causal mechanisms.

Module 2: Qualitative Data Collection & Analysis

• In-depth Interviewing
• Focus Groups & Ethnography: Capturing social dynamics and lived experiences.
• Qualitative Data Management
• Qualitative Data Analysis: Introduction to thematic analysis and discourse analysis.
• Case Study: A research project on post-conflict reconciliation where focus groups are used to understand community perceptions, and these insights inform a large-scale survey.

Module 3: Quantitative Data Collection & Analysis

• Survey Design: Crafting effective questionnaires for political science research.
• Sampling & Data Collection.
• Statistical Software: Hands-on training in statistical packages like R or Stata.
• Quantitative Analysis.
• Case Study: A study on voting behavior that uses a national survey to identify voter demographics and regression analysis to test hypotheses, which are then further explored through follow-up interviews with a subset of respondents.

Module 4: Integrating Quantitative & Qualitative Data

• Data Integration Strategies: Techniques for merging and comparing data sets.
• The Art of Triangulation: Using multiple methods to validate findings.
• Qualitizing and Quantitizing Data.
• Visualizing Mixed Data.
• Case Study: A study on social movements where qualitative content analysis of protest signs and social media posts is converted into quantitative data, which is then analyzed alongside survey data on protester motivations.

Module 5: Advanced Mixed-Methods Designs

• Sequential Explanatory Design.
• Sequential Exploratory Design.
• Embedded and Transformative Designs.
• Nested Analysis.
• Case Study: A health policy evaluation where a quantitative survey measures program impact, and a subsequent qualitative study of non-participants explains why the program failed to reach certain populations.

Module 6: Policy-Oriented Mixed-Methods Research

• Research Problem Formulation.
• Stakeholder Engagement process.
• Impact and Evaluation.
• Communicating with Policymakers.
• Case Study: A study on rural development that combines quantitative economic indicators with qualitative interviews and ethnographic observations to provide a holistic assessment of a policy's effectiveness.

Module 7: Thematic & Case Study Analysis

• Case Selection Strategies.
• Process Tracing & Within-Case Analysis.
• Cross-Case Synthesis: Comparing findings across multiple cases.
• The Role of Context.
• Case Study: A project on civil conflict that uses a large-N statistical analysis to identify key variables and then employs process tracing in two contrasting cases to understand the sequence of events leading to violence.

Module 8: Ethical Issues & Future Directions

• Ethical Review: Navigating Institutional Review Boards (IRB) for MMR projects.
• Data Confidentiality: Ensuring the privacy and anonymity of research participants.
• Emerging Trends.
• Final Project Workshop.
• Case Study: Examining the ethical dilemmas in a study on political corruption that requires balancing the need for data with the protection of informants.

Training Methodology

The course employs a blended and applied learning approach, combining synchronous and asynchronous activities. The methodology includes:

• Interactive Lectures: Led by expert instructors, these sessions will provide foundational knowledge.
• Hands-on Software Training: Practical sessions using popular statistical and qualitative analysis software.
• Applied Case Studies: Each module is anchored by real-world case studies to demonstrate the practical application of concepts.
• Peer-to-Peer Learning: Small group discussions and collaborative activities to foster knowledge sharing.
• Individualized Project Support: One-on-one and group feedback sessions to help participants develop their own research proposals.

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@datastatresearch.org or call +254724527104 

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally- recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

 We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

a. The participant must be conversant with English.

b. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate

c. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.

d. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and A Certificate upon successful completion of Training.

e. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.

f. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to DATASTAT CONSULTANCY LTD account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you.