1.     The main objective of this course is to familiarise students with the principal approaches to contemporary research in the main branches of International Relations and to help students identify the appropriate research design and methods for their project. The course is intended to complement “how to” courses on specific methods offered in the Department of Methodology and elsewhere at LSE, by surveying how a variety of research designs and methods have been, and can be, applied to International Relations research.

2.     The course will encourage awareness of the relationship between theory and method in the conduct of research. It will also highlight trade-offs when choosing specific methods and research designs.

3.     The course will facilitate an environment of mutual support and encouragement amongst first year research students, maximising the potential for cross fertilization between different projects.

4.     The course will develop students’ presentational skills in a group setting.