https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/S_PSRPDThis course aims to provide a common frame of reference for students to develop the design of their thesis. Specifically, it aims to enable students to make the right choices about the set-up of their Master’s Thesis in terms of the formulation of a compelling and relevant research puzzle, hypotheses, case selection, operationalisation and measurement, and data selection and research techniques. Specifically, the course has the following learning objectives: A) Knowledge and understanding The student acquires knowledge and understanding of: (1) the main considerations that bear upon the setting up a political science design. B) Skills The student has acquired the skills to: (2) apply suitable research techniques to the analysis of political phenomena and formulate a research design; (3) justify their own methodological choices in setting up a research design, linking the levels of epistemology, methodology and techniques. C) Attitude The student is able to: (4) reflect on the societal and scientific relevance of political science research; (5) critically engage with their own choices in designing research and the trade-offs that each choice involves.In this course, we reflect upon the fundamental choices in developing a research design in political science. Starting from the question how to construct a research puzzle, we analyse the main choices involved in formulating hypotheses, selecting cases, measuring variables, and identifying and analysing your data. You practice these choices by developing a portfolio in which you apply your knowledge to a research problem of your choice. Each week is organized around a set of themes. These themes are introduced in the first seminar of the week. Most of the second seminar you work in small peer groups to explore how you best apply the insights discussed in your own research.Seminars, combining lectures (first session of the week) and discussion groups (more in second session)Class participation (pass/fail) + Final portfolio assignmentTo be announced in the course manual (see CANVAS).Students in the MSc Political ScienceThere are no special requirements for this course, except for having been admitted to the MSc Political Science and having participated in the four courses in P1 and P2.