Applied Social Research
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The primary objectives of this course are to facilitate the acquisition of knowledge on the fundamental methods of social research and to foster the development of skills essential for designing and evaluating complex research projects in the socio-political sphere. Students will be guided in the practical application of their knowledge towards the creation, execution, and critical analysis of a research project, which will be structured into three distinct parts. The initial two sections will be dedicated to introducing the key methods and techniques employed in social research, including quantitative methods (surveys and secondary analysis), qualitative methods (discourse interviews, focus groups, and ethnography), mixed methods, and digital methods. The final segment of the course will center around guided discussions, showcasing case studies and empirical research examples.
Expected learning outcomes
By the conclusion of the course, students are expected to:
- Possess a comprehensive understanding of the conceptual frameworks and tools encompassing the diverse field of social research methodology.
- Demonstrate awareness of the ethical and deontological considerations that arise when conducting social research in real-world settings.
- Display proficiency in designing social research projects tailored to specific social and political research inquiries.
- Exhibit critical evaluation skills in assessing various methods and theoretical-practical alternatives, taking into account knowledge objectives and available resources.
- Effectively communicate the methodological choices underpinning a research design to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Possess a comprehensive understanding of the conceptual frameworks and tools encompassing the diverse field of social research methodology.
- Demonstrate awareness of the ethical and deontological considerations that arise when conducting social research in real-world settings.
- Display proficiency in designing social research projects tailored to specific social and political research inquiries.
- Exhibit critical evaluation skills in assessing various methods and theoretical-practical alternatives, taking into account knowledge objectives and available resources.
- Effectively communicate the methodological choices underpinning a research design to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Lesson period: Third trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Third trimester
Course syllabus
The program covers the following topics:
1. Social research and public administration
2. Research questions and research designs
3. Quantitative research and qualitative research: two different approaches
4. Quantitative research: sampling surveys, experiments and quasi-experiments, secondary analysis
5. Qualitative research: participant observation, discursive interview, focus groups
6. Mixed methods
7. Big data, open data, and digital methods
8. Examples of empirical research: reading scientific articles, group presentations, and guided classroom discussions
1. Social research and public administration
2. Research questions and research designs
3. Quantitative research and qualitative research: two different approaches
4. Quantitative research: sampling surveys, experiments and quasi-experiments, secondary analysis
5. Qualitative research: participant observation, discursive interview, focus groups
6. Mixed methods
7. Big data, open data, and digital methods
8. Examples of empirical research: reading scientific articles, group presentations, and guided classroom discussions
Prerequisites for admission
Since this is a first-year, first-semester exam, there are no specific prerequisites other than those required for admission to the degree program.
Teaching methods
The course includes:
· Frontal lectures
· In-depth activities in small groups and classroom presentations
· Guided discussions in the classroom
Attendance at lectures is not mandatory, but due to the theoretical and practical nature of the course, it is strongly recommended.
· Frontal lectures
· In-depth activities in small groups and classroom presentations
· Guided discussions in the classroom
Attendance at lectures is not mandatory, but due to the theoretical and practical nature of the course, it is strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
For the first and second parts of the course, the reference texts are:
P. Corbetta,2014, La ricerca sociale: metodologia e tecniche. Vol. II. Le tecniche quantitative, il Mulino (chapters.1,2,3,4,6).
M. Cardano, F. Ortalda, 2021, Studiare l'interazione. Metodi quantitativi, qualitativi e misti, UTET (chapters. 1,7,8,9, 10,12,13,14 and section. 3.4 )
Students could also refer to this English text
Corbetta, Piergiorgio. Social Research : Theory, Methods and Techniques. London Sage, 2003.
For the third part of the course, students are required to read two articles of their choice from the following pairs (or from other articles in English suggested during the lessons):
1. Piro, V., & Sanò, G. (2019). Etnografia del lavoro a giornata nelle serre siciliane/Work bodies. Ethnography of day labor in Sicilian greenhouses. Cartografie sociali. Rivista semestrale di sociologia e scienze umane, 1(7).
2. Cannito, M., Falzea, L., & Torrioni, P. M. (2022). La socializzazione al genere nelle famiglie italiane: figurazioni e pratiche. Quaderni di Sociologia, (89-XLVI), 109-131.
1. Romito, Marco. "Provenienze sociali e orientamento scolastico. L'«accompagnamento alla scelta» della scuola superiore." Etnografia e ricerca qualitativa 7, no. 3 (2014): 481-504.
2. Abbiati, G., Argentin, G., Assirelli, G., Barone, C., & Schizzerotto, A. (2017). Orientamento educativo e disuguaglianze di fronte all'istruzione universitaria in Italia: Risultati da un esperimento randomizzato. Quaderni di Sociologia, (74), 7-31.
1. Vitullo, A., Gerosa, T., Losi, L., & Gui, M. (2021). Connessione permanente e disuguaglianza digitale: un'analisi sui divari tra studenti nativi e con status migratorio. Polis, 36(2), 209-240.
2. Frisina, A. (2014). Negoziare l'Alterita'. Focus group e processi di significazione delle immagini tra giovani autoctoni/ee figli/e delle migrazioni in Veneto. Rassegna italiana di sociologia, 55(3), 575-598.
1. Tipaldo, G., Carriero, R., Bruno, F., Pasquettaz, G., & Rocutto, S. (2020). Parlare della pandemia su Facebook: un'analisi comparata del contenuto su dati generati dagli utenti a Bergamo, Milano e Padova. Sociologia Italiana—AIS Journal of Sociology, 16, 141-164.
2. Dotti Sani, G. M. (2021). L'emergenza sanitaria da COVID-19 e la divisione del lavoro domestico e di cura. In Le donne in Italia durante la pandemia: politiche sociali e prospettive future (pp. 21-28). Osservatorio Internazionale per la Coesione e l'Inclusione Sociale.
P. Corbetta,2014, La ricerca sociale: metodologia e tecniche. Vol. II. Le tecniche quantitative, il Mulino (chapters.1,2,3,4,6).
M. Cardano, F. Ortalda, 2021, Studiare l'interazione. Metodi quantitativi, qualitativi e misti, UTET (chapters. 1,7,8,9, 10,12,13,14 and section. 3.4 )
Students could also refer to this English text
Corbetta, Piergiorgio. Social Research : Theory, Methods and Techniques. London Sage, 2003.
For the third part of the course, students are required to read two articles of their choice from the following pairs (or from other articles in English suggested during the lessons):
1. Piro, V., & Sanò, G. (2019). Etnografia del lavoro a giornata nelle serre siciliane/Work bodies. Ethnography of day labor in Sicilian greenhouses. Cartografie sociali. Rivista semestrale di sociologia e scienze umane, 1(7).
2. Cannito, M., Falzea, L., & Torrioni, P. M. (2022). La socializzazione al genere nelle famiglie italiane: figurazioni e pratiche. Quaderni di Sociologia, (89-XLVI), 109-131.
1. Romito, Marco. "Provenienze sociali e orientamento scolastico. L'«accompagnamento alla scelta» della scuola superiore." Etnografia e ricerca qualitativa 7, no. 3 (2014): 481-504.
2. Abbiati, G., Argentin, G., Assirelli, G., Barone, C., & Schizzerotto, A. (2017). Orientamento educativo e disuguaglianze di fronte all'istruzione universitaria in Italia: Risultati da un esperimento randomizzato. Quaderni di Sociologia, (74), 7-31.
1. Vitullo, A., Gerosa, T., Losi, L., & Gui, M. (2021). Connessione permanente e disuguaglianza digitale: un'analisi sui divari tra studenti nativi e con status migratorio. Polis, 36(2), 209-240.
2. Frisina, A. (2014). Negoziare l'Alterita'. Focus group e processi di significazione delle immagini tra giovani autoctoni/ee figli/e delle migrazioni in Veneto. Rassegna italiana di sociologia, 55(3), 575-598.
1. Tipaldo, G., Carriero, R., Bruno, F., Pasquettaz, G., & Rocutto, S. (2020). Parlare della pandemia su Facebook: un'analisi comparata del contenuto su dati generati dagli utenti a Bergamo, Milano e Padova. Sociologia Italiana—AIS Journal of Sociology, 16, 141-164.
2. Dotti Sani, G. M. (2021). L'emergenza sanitaria da COVID-19 e la divisione del lavoro domestico e di cura. In Le donne in Italia durante la pandemia: politiche sociali e prospettive future (pp. 21-28). Osservatorio Internazionale per la Coesione e l'Inclusione Sociale.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination methods consist of a final written exam, which will be scored on a scale of thirty. The written test aims to:
· Assess the achievement of the objectives in terms of knowledge and understanding of the topics covered in the course.
· Evaluate the ability to apply methodological knowledge properly.
The exam consists of a 50-minute written test structured as follows:
· A section with 20 closed-ended multiple-choice questions (worth 23 points/30).
· 1 open-ended question (worth 10 points/30).
Attending students will have the opportunity to participate in two intermediate assessments:
· Around 2/3 of the course duration: a written test with 20 closed-ended multiple-choice questions (worth 23 points).
· At the end of the course: an oral exam, where the student can present an individual project (designing a research plan based on the case studies discussed and presented in groups during the course).
To obtain the final grade, attending students who choose to participate in the intermediate assessments must pass both tests.
Upon successful completion of the exam, 9 credits will be awarded.
· Assess the achievement of the objectives in terms of knowledge and understanding of the topics covered in the course.
· Evaluate the ability to apply methodological knowledge properly.
The exam consists of a 50-minute written test structured as follows:
· A section with 20 closed-ended multiple-choice questions (worth 23 points/30).
· 1 open-ended question (worth 10 points/30).
Attending students will have the opportunity to participate in two intermediate assessments:
· Around 2/3 of the course duration: a written test with 20 closed-ended multiple-choice questions (worth 23 points).
· At the end of the course: an oral exam, where the student can present an individual project (designing a research plan based on the case studies discussed and presented in groups during the course).
To obtain the final grade, attending students who choose to participate in the intermediate assessments must pass both tests.
Upon successful completion of the exam, 9 credits will be awarded.
SPS/07 - GENERAL SOCIOLOGY - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Guglielmi Simona
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Guglielmi SimonaProfessor(s)