The validity of empirical research depends as much on the choice of a research design as it depends on the choice of analytical method. Perhaps more importantly, reviewers at leading journals increasingly reset their decision on their evaluation of the research design of submitted manuscripts.
The course introduces various research designs, discusses the validity of inferences derived from these designs, and seeks to stimulate students to improve their own research design.  

In this course, participants will learn the basic logic of research designs. Specifically, the course assists participants in developing their research agenda into a set of feasible research designs.
Participants will become conversant with a range of social science research designs, including experimental, quasi-experimental, and quantitative methods. Participants will learn how to reduce bias or learn how to reduce the influence of bias on inferences. 3. Particpants are asked to develop and present a research design related to their research project.

Participants are required to attend 80 percent of the sessions.

The course units are based on a mix of different teaching methods, such as: Interactive Lecture using a tutoring approach to support students in their empirical research approach.

The assessment relies on participation in discussions, presentation of a research design, and a final paper – for example a research manuscript written for submission to a journal or a brief review of a research design used in published work. All assessments count equally for the final mark.