Doctorate in International Relations & Political Science
Program Overview
Doctorate in International Relations & Political Science at FLISM is a highest academic qualification in the field of global affairs. It is designed to engage students in interdisciplinary studies with advanced level knowledge of practical research focusing on international systems, global governance, diplomacy, foreign policy analysis, and comparative politics. Following specializations are provided under this discipline:
- International Security & Geopolitics
- Global Governance & International Organizations
- Diplomacy & Foreign Policy Analysis
- Foreign policy
- International Political Economy (IPE)
- Regional Studies (IR-focused)
- Comparative Politics
- Public Policy & Administration
- Constitutional & Legal Studies
& many more…
Why Pursue a Doctorate in International Relations & Political Science from FLISM?
The Doctorate in International Relations & Political Science at Florida Institute of Science and Management is designed for aspiring scholars, educators, policymakers and leaders seeking to make a global impact. The program blends advanced research, leadership training, and real-world applications, preparing graduates for high-level careers in education administration, curriculum development, policy-making, and academic research. Candidates will engage in interdisciplinary studies which will prepare them to address complex global challenges. FLISM is a globally recognized and respected educational body with accreditations such as QAHE and ACBSP ensuring high standards and global credibility.
Key Highlights

100% Online Program

24*7 Access

Comprehensive Curriculum

Networking Opportunities
Program Objectives
- Learn research methodology and effective thesis management skills
- Conduct original and data driven research on topics related to international relations and political Science
- Develop advanced expertise in international relations and political Science
- Learn skills to address and solve complex global issues in diplomacy, governance and policy making
- Understand the complexities of global issues such as climate change, terrorism, pandemics, and economic crises
- Develop strategies to prevent conflicts and promote peace and security through research
- Enhance analytical reasoning, leadership abilities, and critical thinking through ground-breaking study of global affairs, conflict resolution, and governance

Curriculum
Module 1: Thesis Management
Research
- Scope and Significance
- Types of Research
- Research Process
- Characteristics of Good Research
- Identifying Research Problem
- Meaning of Sampling Design
- Steps in sampling
- Criteria for good sample design
- Types of Sample Design
- Probability and non-probability sampling methods
- Meaning of Measurement
- Types of scales
Review of Literature
- Data Collection
- Types of Data
- Sources of Data Collection
- Methods of Data Collection
- Constructing questionnaire
- Establishing, reliability and validity
- Data processing
- Coding, Editing and tabulation of data
- Meaning of Report writing
- Types of Report
- Steps of report writing
- Precautions for writing report
- Norms for using Tables
- Charts and diagram
- Appendix: – Index, Bibliography
Module 2: General Research Methodology
- Meaning and importance of Research
- Types of Research
- Selection and formulation of Research Problem
- Meaning of Research Design
- Need of Research Design
- Features of Research Design
- Inductive, Deductive and Development of models
- Developing a Research Plan
- Exploration, Description, Diagnosis, Experimentation
- Determining Experimental and Sample Designs
- Analysis of Literature Review
- Primary and Secondary Sources
- Web sources
- Critical Literature Review
- Hypothesis
- Different Types of Hypothesis
- Significance
- Development of Working Hypothesis
- Null hypothesis
- Research Methods: Scientific method vs Arbitrary Method
- Logical Scientific Methods: Deductive, Inductive, Deductive-Inductive
- Pattern of Deductive
- Inductive logical process
- Different types of inductive logical methods.
Module 3: Quantitative Research Methods
Introduction to Quantitative Research
Part 1:
a. Session Overview
b. RQ Hypothesis Course Context Video
c. What is Quantitative Research?
d. Ethics of Quantitative Research
e. Session Summary
Part 2:
f. Session Overview
g. Introduction to the Scientific Method of Research
h. Comparing Descriptive, Predictive and Prescriptive Research
i. Inductive and Deductive Approaches to Quantitative Research
j. Constructing Models
K. Session Summary
Exploring Quantitative Research Design
Part 1:
a. Session Overview
b. Fundamentals of Research Design
c. Components of a Research Design
d. Characteristics of a Research Design
e. Session Summary
Part 2:
f. Session Overview
g. Research Design for Experimental Research Studies
h. Research Design for Quasi Experimental Studies
i. Research Design for Non-Experimental Research Studies
j. Evaluating Quantitative Research Design
k. Session Summary
Data Collection for Quantitative Research
Part 1:
a. Session Overview
b. Defining Surveys
c. Exploring Survey Methods
d. Session Summary
Part 2:
e. Session Overview
f. The Process of Questionnaire Development
g. Designing a Questionnaire
h. Designing Rating Scales
i. The Art of Asking Questions
j. Session Summary
Part 3:
k. Session Overview
l. Tips to Conduct Effective Surveys
m. Ethics of Using Technology in Surveys
n. Session Summary
Measurement and Sampling
Part 1:
a. Session Overview
b. What is measurement?
c. True Score Theory, Estimating Measurement Errors
d. Evaluating Validity of Measures
e. Evaluating Reliability of Measures
f. Session Summary
Part 2:
g. Session Overview
i. Basic Concepts of Sampling
j. Problems and Blases in Sampling
k. Probability Sampling
l. Non-Probability Sampling
m. Session Summary
Part 3:
n. Session Overview
o. Determining the Sample Size
p. Sampling Distribution and Statistical Inference
q. Demonstrations on Sampling
r. Session Summary
Constructing Statistical Models
Part 1:
a. Session Overview
b. Significance of Comparing Means for Analysis
c. What is ANOVA?
d. Types of ANOVA
e. Calculating and Interpreting One-Way ANOVA
f. Session Summary
Part 2:
g. Session Overview
h. Building a Statistical Model
i. Effect of Moderating and Mediating Variables
j. Demonstration on Mediation and Moderation
k. Session Summary
Enhancing Statistical Models
Part 1:
a. Session Overview
b. What is Factor Analysis?
c. Conducting Factor Analysis
d. Demonstration on R: Factor Analysis
e. Interpreting Factor Scores
f. Session Summary
Part 2:
g. Session Overview
h. What is Factorial ANOVA?
i. Dealing with Interaction Effects in Factorial ANOVA
j. Calculating and Interpreting Factorial ANOVA
k. Session Summary
Multivariate Analyses
Part 1:
a. Session Overview
b. Multivariate regression
c. MANOVA
d. Logistic Regression
e. Structural Equation Modeling
f. Tree Structured Methods
g. Conjoint Analysis
h. Session Summary
Part 2:
i. Session Overview
j. Time Series
k. Cluster Analysis
l. Session Summary
Writing a Quantitative Research Paper
Part 1:
a. Session Overview
b. Introduction to Formatting the Research Project for Quantitative Research
c. Components of a Quantitative Research Paper
d. Writing the Summary, Background and Purpose of Quantitative Research
e. Writing the Literature Review
f. Detailing your Research Design/Methodology
g. Curating your Results, Analysis and Supplementary Findings
h. Outlining your Conclusions and Recommendations
i. Making Appendices
j. Session Summary
Part 2:
k. Session Overview
l. Writing Different Types of Quant Papers
m. Guidelines for Fine-Tuning your Research Presentation
n. Session Summary
Module 4: Qualitative Research Methods
Introduction to Qualitative Research
a .Key Elements of Qualitative Research
b. Writing Qualitative Research Question
c. Qualitative Research: Framework
d. Steps to Write a Qualitative Research Paper
e. Ethics for Qualitative Research and IRB
f. Introduction to Design Strategies
g. Data Collection and Analysis Strategies
h. Introduction to research design
i. Major aspects of research design
Data Collection in Qualitative Research
- Sources of Evidence:
a. Comparative
b. Assessment (Forms-Strengths-Weaknesses)
c. Principles of Data Collection
d. Sampling
e. Reliability and Validity
- Interviews and Focus Groups
- Introduction to Data Analysis
- An Introduction to Data Analysis
b. First Cycle Coding (Description Demo)
c. Second Cycle Coding (Description Demo)
d. Jottings and Analytic Memoing (Description Demo)
e. Assertions and Propositions (Description Demo)
f. Within Case and Cross-Case Analysis (Description Demo)
Data Display and Exploration
a. Matrix and Networks
b. Timing, formatting
c. Extracting Inferences and Conclusions
d. Exploring Fieldwork in Progress
e. Exploring Variables
f. Exploring Reports in Progress
Data Analysis Process – Next Steps a.Describing Participants
b. Describing Variability
c. Describing Action
d. Ordering by time
e. Ordering by process
f. Explaining Interrelationship-Change
g. Explaining Causation
h. Making Predictions
Verifying Conclusions
a. Tactics to achieve integration among diverse pieces of data
b. Tactics to sharpen understanding by differentiation
c. Tactics of seeing relationships in data abstractly
d. Tactics to assemble a coherent understanding of data
e. Tactics for testing or confirming findings
f. Standards for quality of conclusions
Writing a Report and New Technologies
a. Other methods in Qualitative Research
b. Audiences and Effects
c. Different aspects / apa
d. An Introduction to Mixed Methods Research
Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Doctorate in International Relations & Political Science at Florida Institute of Science and Management?
A Doctorate in International Relations & Political Science is the highest academic qualification focused on the advanced study and research of global politics, diplomacy, international law, security, and governance. This doctoral program is designed for scholars and professionals who wish to develop deep expertise in analyzing and addressing international challenges, contributing original research that advances the field.
2. Is the program offered online or on-campus?
FLISM offers the Doctorate program essentially through online learning platforms, providing flexibility for students worldwide.
3. Does FLISM provide specializations in this discipline?
Yes, FLISM provides specializations in the International Relations & Political Science discipline. Following are the available specializations you can choose from:
- International Security & Geopolitics
- Global Governance & International Organizations
- Diplomacy & Foreign Policy Analysis
- Foreign Policy
- International Political Economy (IPE)
- Regional Studies (IR-focused)
- Comparative Politics
- Public Policy & Administration
- Constitutional & Legal Studies
& many more…
4. What career opportunities are available after completing this doctorate?
Graduates can pursue careers in academia as professors or researchers, work with international organizations (e.g., United Nations, World Bank), join government policy-making bodies, think tanks, NGOs, or become consultants and analysts in global affairs.
5. What kind of research support does FLISM provide?
FLISM provides comprehensive research support including access to academic journals, databases, expert faculty mentorship, research methodology workshops, and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.
6. Is FLISM globally recognized?
FLISM is globally recognized for its quality education and holds accreditations from respected international bodies such as AACSB and ACBSP. These endorsements affirm FLISM’s commitment to maintaining high academic standards and provide global credibility to its degree programs. The institute’s diverse student body and flexible online learning options further enhance its international reputation.