Research Design
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
To understand the basic tools of academic production- reading, writing, craftsmanship, theory, and the scholarly conversation. To obtain a basic overview of both qualitative and quantitative techniques in the social sciences.
Expected learning outcomes
To produce a research proposal that meets the standards of Masters-level scientific work, that includes a range of methods and a starting point research question.
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 course will provide students with the basic tools for the academic production of academic and non-academic research: reading, writing, craftsmanship, theory. Students will be offered an overview of both qualitative and quantitative techniques in the social sciences. The course also works as a platform for students to start reasoning about the MA thesis.
The course topics include: Overview of research strategies and un underlying epistemological and ontological considerations; Overview of research designs; Planning a research project; Reviewing the literature; Ethics in research; Introduction to quantitative research: Sampling; Structured interviewing; Self-completion questionnaires; Asking Questions; Structured observation; Content Analysis; Secondary analysis and official statistics; Introduction to qualitative research: Sampling in qualitative research, Ethnography and participant observation, Interviewing in qualitative research; Focus groups; Language in qualitative research; Documents as sources of data; Qualitative data Analysis; Mixed methods research.
The course topics include: Overview of research strategies and un underlying epistemological and ontological considerations; Overview of research designs; Planning a research project; Reviewing the literature; Ethics in research; Introduction to quantitative research: Sampling; Structured interviewing; Self-completion questionnaires; Asking Questions; Structured observation; Content Analysis; Secondary analysis and official statistics; Introduction to qualitative research: Sampling in qualitative research, Ethnography and participant observation, Interviewing in qualitative research; Focus groups; Language in qualitative research; Documents as sources of data; Qualitative data Analysis; Mixed methods research.
Prerequisites for admission
No prior knowledge is required to take this course.
Teaching methods
Lectures, group exercises in the classroom
Teaching Resources
Social Research Methods, Tom Clark, Liam Foster, Luke Sloan, and Alan Bryman, 2021, Oxford University Press, Sixth Edition
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam students includes a written test consisting of multiple choice and/or open questions. It is also foreseen the drafting in small groups of a short research project based on the course materials.
SPS/07 - GENERAL SOCIOLOGY - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Dotti Sani Giulia Maria
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Dotti Sani Giulia MariaProfessor(s)