RESEARCH METHODS AND DESIGN FOR ASIAN STUDIES

The course is part of the core curriculum of the Master’s Degree Programme in “Languages of Asia and North Africa for Business and International Cooperation.” It provides practical guidance on research in Asian Studies, with particular emphasis on the fundamental principles of research.

Knowledge and Understanding
Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the fundamental principles of research in Asian Studies.
Understand key concepts, including research questions, literature review, sampling, and data collection methods, while analyzing and generalizing results.
Recognize research as a dynamic and iterative process linking theory, data, and analysis.

Applying Knowledge and Understanding
Formulate clear, coherent, and feasible research questions.
Design a structured and methodologically sound research plan, including appropriate sampling strategies and data collection methods.
Apply suitable methods to achieve the specific objectives of the research.

Making Judgements
Critically evaluate academic literature and identify gaps or debates relevant to their project.
Assess the feasibility, strengths, and limitations of different research designs.
Make informed methodological decisions while considering practical constraints (time, data, resources).

Communication Skills
Present research ideas and methodological choices clearly and coherently.
Draft a structured Master’s-level research proposal.
Write academic papers that follow the basic principles of scholarly writing.

Learning Skills
Plan and organize research activities independently.
Critically reflect on your own research process and adapt it as needed.
Develop the skills required to carry out independent research in advanced academic or professional contexts.

Having reflected on one’s own research interests

The schedule of classes is as follows:

① Course Overview
② Topic and Theme of research
③ Literature Review and Research Question
④ Sampling
⑤ Data Collection (1)
⑥ Data Collection (2)
⑦ Data Collection (3)
⑧ Data Analysis (1)
⑨ Data Analysis (2)
⑩ Data Analysis (3)
⑪ Generalization of results
⑫ Logic and Structure of the Paper
⑬ Academic Writing (1)
⑭ Academic Writing (2)
⑮ Thesis Evaluation Criteria

Dictionary of Research Methods
Hammond, Michael and Jerry Wellington, 2020, Research Methods: The Key Concepts (Routledge Key Guides), Routledge.
Morin, Jean-Frederic, Christian Olsson, and Ece Ozlem Atikcan ed., 2021, Research Methods in the Social Sciences: An A-z of Key Concepts, Oxford University Press.

Research Question
Alvesson, M., & Sandberg, J., 2013, Constructing Research Questions: Doing Interesting Research, SAGE Publications.

Research methods and design
Booth, Wayne C. , Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams, Joseph Bizup and William T. FitzGerald, 2016, The Craft of Research, Fourth Edition, Fourth Edition, the University of Chicago Press.
Creswell, John W., 2021, A Concise Introduction to Mixed Methods Research, ‎ SAGE Publications.
Creswell, John W., and Vicki L. Plano Clark, 2017, Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research, SAGE Publications.
Leavy, Patricia, 2023, Research Design: Quantitative, Qualitative, Mixed Methods, Arts-Based, and Community-Based Participatory Research Approaches, Second Edition, Guilford Press.
Mullaney, Thomas S., and Christopher Rea, 2022, Where Research Begins: Choosing a Research Project That Matters to You and the,World, Univ of Chicago Press.
Punch, Keith F, 2013, Introduction to Social Research: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches, SAGE Publications Ltd.
Wadsworth, Yoland, 2020, Do It Yourself Social Research: The bestselling practical guide to doing social research projects, Routledge.

Academic Writing
Chaubey, Varanya, 2018, The little book of research writing : the structural challenge of communicating knowledge + a method to meet it, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.

Japanese Studies
Kottmann, Nora and Cornelia Reiher (eds.), 2020, Studying Japan: Handbook of Research Designs, Fieldwork and Methods, Nomos.

Key points of the research
Howard S. Becker, 1998, Tricks of the Trade: How to Think about Your Research While You’re Doing It, The University of Chicago Press.

Learning from Actual Research
Arlie Russell Hochschild, Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right, 2016.
Putnam, Robert D., Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, 2000.
Putnam, Robert D., Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis, Simon and Schuster, New York, 2015.

To complete the course, students are required to pass two computer-based assessments:
(1) an examination assessing their knowledge of the course content (75%), and
(2) a Master’s thesis research proposal (25%).

The final grade is expressed on a 30-point scale. The minimum passing grade is 18/30.

The research proposal must address the following aspects:
(a) topic, theme, literature review, and research question;
(b) sampling strategy and data collection methods.

The assessment is based on the following two criteria:
(a) Knowledge of research design principles
(b) Ability to apply concepts to a research proposal

The assessment format is the same for attending and non-attending students. For non-attending students, thorough study of all materials and readings uploaded to the Moodle platform is essential for exam preparation.

written

30–28 (Excellent)
Excellent knowledge of research design principles and outstanding ability to apply them coherently and rigorously in a research proposal.

27–24 (Very Good)
Very good knowledge of research design principles and effective application to a research proposal, with only minor weaknesses.

23–21 (Good)
Sound knowledge of the main principles and generally appropriate application, though lacking depth or precision.

20–18 (Satisfactory – Pass)
Basic knowledge of essential principles and limited but acceptable application to a research proposal.

Below 18 (Fail)
Insufficient knowledge of research design principles and/or inability to apply them adequately in a research proposal.

Frontal lessons will be conducted in English.

All lesson materials and additional readings will be made available on the Moodle platform dedicated to the course.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "International cooperation" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development