Research Methods:Sec. Studies

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Juris Doctor

Research Methods for Security Studies This course is a graduate seminar that covers social science research methods and their application to security studies questions. The objective of the course is to familiarize students with the diverse set of qualitative and quantitative methods that they can use to conduct rigorous research on topics related to the study of international and national security policy. Each session of the course will cover a different methodology and an application of that methodology to a set of questions or topics within the security studies domain. The application will demonstrate the use of the method, highlight the insights the method can provide, point out the strengths and weaknesses of the method, and identify relevant data sources. Methods covered will include literature reviews, case studies, interviews, and surveys as well as quantitative analysis and basic statistics, experimental methods, social network analysis. Topics covered as applications will include terrorism, civil and ethnic war, third-party military interventions, nuclear deterrence, cyber warfare, interstate conflict and cooperation, and societal violence (riots, protests, etc.). The specific methods and topics covered can be modified to reflect student interests. Learning Outcomes During the course, students will learn and apply qualitative and quantitative social science research methods to security studies questions. Students will become familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of specific methods while also learning how to use these methods to overcome the challenges of conducting research on issues related to international security and conflict. By the end of the course, students will be able to develop research designs and project proposals that rigorously address challenging questions and will have the tools needed to carry out these research plans.