https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2025-2026/S_RPPS1This course is a follow-up of the course Quantitative Research and Methods in Political Science (QRMPS) in period 1. The learning outcomes are as follows: Knowledge and understanding(1) The manner in which quantitative empirical political science research is designed, conducted and reported upon in a research paper;(2) The main research literature on the chosen topic and research question;(3) The possibilities and limitations of secondary data sets for answering a self-formulated research question;(4) The available and relevant techniques for answering a research question. Skills(5) Formulate a relevant research question that is researchable through quantitative data analysis, based on existing research literature;(6) Identify relevant variables and establish a theoretical model;(7) Explore and prepare existing datasets for one's own research (operationalization, recoding), and perform the appropriate data analysis;(8) To report on the results of the research conducted, both written and orallyStudents will apply the quantitative research methods learned in QRMPS by answering a self-formulated research question through the analysis of secondary (quantitative) data. The course will be followed in semester 2 by the similar course Research Project Political Science 2, which will focus on practice in qualitative methods. Both courses are an initial exercise in conducting your own political science research, reporting on it in writing in a full research paper, as well as presenting the results to third parties. In these courses in Year 2 of the program, students do this in groups (3-4 students) to share responsibility and tasks and to guide each other as they work together toward the final goal. The courses are thus a preparation for the bachelor's thesis project in the final year, where the research and its reporting will have to be an individual enterprise.Tutorials. Please note: attendance is mandatory for the tutorials.Intermediate assignments (complete/incomplete) Final report (80%) Presentation (20%)To be announced in the course manual (see CANVAS)Second-year students in the Bachelor Political Science (all tracks and/or specializations)In this course, you cannot enroll for one of the study groups yourself, but you will be assigned by the course coordinator. The allocation will be announced via Canvas. Please note: You do have to register for the course on VU.nl.Having passed the course Descriptive and Inferential Statistics (S_DIS of S_BIS) in year 1; Active participation in the preceding course Quantitative Methods and Research in Political Science (S_QRMPS).