This course introduces students to how experiments are used to address questions about social phenomena. Social science research and policy analysis have in recent years put greater emphasis on the causes underpinning phenomena of interest. This is an important advance as the lack of doing so can lead to erroneous substantive conclusions and policy recommendations. Experiments are well-suited for the identification of causal effects, as they give researchers control over the research setting and thus allow them to exclude alternative explanations. The course focuses on introducing students to basic concepts and analytical tools employed in experimental research. Students are also acquainted with different experimental research designs, including lab, survey, and field experiments. At the end of the course, students will possess a good understanding of the strengths (and weaknesses) of the experimental methods most commonly used in social science research. A capacity to employ these methods independently is fostered through various exercises, including the writing of a research plan. Prior knowledge of basic statistical concepts, such as hypothesis testing and regression analysis, is strongly recommended.

A recurring question from my students concerns the distinctiveness of feminist approaches to methods, methodologies, and epistemologies. This key question is posed in different ways: Is there a specifically feminist method? Are there feminist methodologies and epistemologies, or simply feminist approaches to these? Answers to these questions are far from straightforward given the continually evolving nature of feminist reflections on the methodological and epistemological dimensions and dilemmas of research. This course attempts to address these questions by tracing recent developments in this area.
The seminar demonstrates the many ways in which feminist researchers continue to challenge, develop, reflect and strive for robust practices and warrantable knowledges. This is configured through; inter alia, notions of voice, positionality, representation, intersectional understandings, strong objectivity and feminist empiricism. A large part of the course will be devoted to methods and their application in praxis. Students should have basic knowledge of research methods (at least done the course introduction to research methods). The course language is English, however, depending upon composition and request of students.

Literature
Harding S. (1987): Is There a Feminist Method? In: Harding S. (eds) Feminism and Methodology: Social Science Issues, Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1–14
Ramazanoglu C, Holland J. (2002): Feminist Methodology : Challenges and Choices. London: SAGE Publications Ltd
Rayaprol A. (2016): Feminist research: Redefining methodology in the social sciences. Contributions to Indian Sociology, 50(3), 368–388