About the Methods School

The National University of Singapore's Department of Political Science is proud to announce the 5^th Annual IPSA-NUS Summer School for Social Science Research Methods, July 4-15, 2016. The Methods School is organized in cooperation with the International Political Science Association. IPSA's mission is to promote empirical research in political science and related disciplines around the world, and the IPSA-NUS Methods School forms the Asian-Pacific hub in a global network of methods programs, with other summer schools hosted at the University of São Paulo, the University of Stellenbosch, and the Middle East Technical University.

The IPSA-NUS Methods School offers rigorous training with outstanding and highly experienced international faculty in a wide range of social science research methods. Students, post-doctoral fellows, junior faculty, civil servants, professionals, and everyone with an interest in research methods can choose from a wide variety of quantitative, qualitative, and formal methodscourses and benefit from intensive, hands-on coursework over a two-week period.

In addition to the regular class meetings, lab sessions, and exercises, the Methods School organizes the IPSA-NUS International Speakers Series and offers various info sessions on such topics as academic writing and publishing. It creates a unique and supportive social environment that facilitates networking and encourages the exchange of ideas about the theory and practice of social science research.

As the Methods School is a non-profit venture, course fees have been priced accordingly and represent excellent value whencompared to similar events in the U.S. and Europe (compare!) while offering the same quality of instruction.

If you have questions or require any additional information, please contact the IPSA-NUS Methods School team. For up-to-the-minute information about the latest Methods School activities, you can also like the Methods School Facebook page or follow us on Twitter (@MethodsSchool).

Registration

The Methods School is a non-profit venture. Course fees have been priced accordingly and represent excellent value when compared to similar events in the U.S. and Europe (compare!) while offering the same quality of instruction.

There are different fees for Methods School participants from non-academic institutions, academic institutions, and students (including PhD candidates) for all our courses. Participants can save up to 20% by registering on or before Saturday, April 30, 2016.

		EARLY BIRD OFFER Offer ends on April 30, 2016		REGULAR COURSE FEES Regular fees apply from May 1, 2016
Two-week courses
Students:		S$850		S$1,000
Academics:		S$950		S$1,100
Non-academics:		S$1,650		S$1,800
One-week courses
Students:		S$600		S$750
Academics:		S$700		S$850
Non-academics:		S$1,300		S$1,450

include course materials (except books) as well as access to computer labs and the NUS libraries. Participants are responsible for travel to and from Singapore, room and board, local transportation and entertainment, social activities, and other personal expenses.

REGISTRATION

Register early as class numbers are strictly limited and courses fill up quickly. Registration officially closes for all courses on Wednesday, June 15, 2016.

Participants can register and pay their course and exam fees online as well as offline.

Online registration and payment is fast, convenient, and secure and the preferred method of registration and payment. Paying online allows you to immediately reserve a place on your favorite course. To register and pay online, you need a credit card (American Express, Visa, or MasterCard) or a Singapore bank account that supports eDebit internet banking.

Alternatively, participants without a credit card or Singapore bank account can register and pay their course fees using a bank draft or telegraphic bank transfer.

DISCOUNTS AND FINANCIAL AID

All participants registering on or before Saturday, April 30, 2016, receive an 'early bird' discount of up to 20%. The regular Methods School course fees apply from Sunday, May 1, 2016.

Returning participants, i.e., those who attended last year's IPSA-NUS Summer School for Social Science Research Methods, receive the same discount independent of when they register.

Self-funded graduate students (MA and PhD candidates) can apply for several merit and need-based grants.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Registered participants requesting to withdraw from a Methods School course and/or the Methods School exam within two weeks of payment receive a full refund of the registration fees less an administrative charge of S$100.

Withdrawals received more than two weeks after payment has been made and before Wednesday, June 1, 2016, receive a 50% refund. No refunds will be given for withdrawals after Wednesday, June 1, 2016.

Registered participants on courses canceled by the organizers will be offered a full refund of their registration fees or the opportunity to enroll in another Methods School course.

The organizers are not liable for travel expenses incurred in connection with the Methods School.

Financial Aid

The IPSA-NUS Methods School, in cooperation with the International Political Science Association, offer several merit and need-based grants to Methods School participants. The selection process is highly competitive, and preference is given to self-funded graduate students, who require specialized methodological skills in order to complete their dissertation research.

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. Applicants need to register and pay for a Methods School course first!

1. After having successfully registered, applicants and their letter of recommendation writers should e-mail the following supporting materials to methods-school@nus.edu.sg:
   
   • Cover letter that explains how participation in the Methods School will contribute towards completion of their dissertation research
   
   
   • Curriculum vitae
   
   
   • Two letters of recommendation from academic advisors/dissertation committee members

Please note that we can only process application from registered Methods School participants as the financial aid committee may use an applicant's course selection as a criterion in the selection process. Also, decisions will only be made after the Tuesday, May 31, 2016, deadline. As most courses will already be full by then, even applicants who would otherwise qualify for a grant might not be able to attend the Methods School for lack of a place on their favorite course. Therefore, it is essential that you register and pay for a Methods School course before you apply for financial aid.

The deadline for all financial aid applications is Tuesday, May 31, 2016. Late applications cannot be considered.

EXTERNAL FUNDING

We strongly encourage Methods School participants interested in financial aid to also explore alternative funding opportunities. Past participants received funding from national and local funding agencies as well as their home institutions. Universities as well as individual research centers, departments, and schools often have special training funds at their disposal and are willing to provide financial assistance, especially when participation in the Methods School is combined with a research stay or conference presentation in the Asia-Pacific.

This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:

http://methods-school.nus.edu.sg/index.html