Do the words ‘public sphere’ and  ‘computer aided analysis’ make your heart beat faster? Can’t wait to discuss your own research ideas with fellow students and leading scholars?

 

Then join our Winter Method School at Freie Universität Berlin from 14 to 20 November 2010!

 

What to expect

The Method School’s aim is to highlight the state of the art in the field and discuss which research questions can be tackled by which computer-aided content and discourse analysis. Large-n content analyses have become popular, as content data is now accessible in digital format. Some of the new approaches go beyond counting single terms in documents, and seek to understand the structure and the context of the content analysed. Several approaches have entered the stage at which it becomes possible to combine quantitative and computer-aided qualitative coding. The Method School will, therefore, offer an introduction into some of the most widely used software packages in the field, but also introduce the basics of content and discourse analysis.

 

Besides introductions by experienced lecturers, the programme includes intensive group work, practical sessions using traditional and new computer software and possibilities for students to bring in their own research ideas and approaches. Some common social activities in the beautiful city of Berlin will round off the programme.

 

Whom to expect

• Prof. Dr. Thomas Risse, Freie Universität Berlin
• Dr. Marianne van de Steeg, Freie Universität Berlin
• Dr. Roel Popping, Groningen University
• Dr. Veronika Koller, Lancaster University
• Brit Helle Aarskog, Bergen University

 

And of course a group of highly motivated fellow students!

 

Target Group

The Winter Method School is particularly designed for early doctoral students (first two years) with a research interest in the public sphere and no or limited prior knowledge in the field of content and discourse analysis, from all countries. In exceptional cases, graduate students will be accepted if they can demonstrate a profound interest in these research methods and have plans to use them in their PhD studies.  All applicants should be fluent in English, since all sessions will be held in English.

 

Places available: 20

 

Costs

There is no participation fee. However, travel, accommodation, and meals have to be covered by the participants themselves. Recommendations for accommodation and respective costs will be indicated on our website.

 

Application

Applicants are expected to submit the following documents:

•  a short CV,
•  a letter of motivation, indicating why the method school is important for their own research (500 words max.), and

•  a two-pages research design, indicating the use of content or discourse analysis (you can find a template on our website).

The files sent for the application must be written in English and delivered in one e-mail.  The deadline for submission is 15 August 2010. Successful candidates will be notified no later than 15 September 2010. The application material should be sent to methodschool-jmce@polsoz.fu-berlin.de. 

 

Further Information

For further information on the Winter Method School, the application procedure and a draft programme, please, visit our website (see collumn on the left side or click here) or write to methodschool-jmce@polsoz.fu-berlin.de (contact person is Ms. Wiebke Wemheuer).