Course Description
Sociological research methods. Topics include conceptions of research, the philosophy of science, formal and grounded theory construction, and qualitative and quantitative approaches to research design.
Athena Title
RESEARCH METHODS
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
This course provides graduate students with advanced training in designing sociological research. It introduces to a variety of research methods, identifies their merits and shortcomings, and provides students the opportunity to apply these methods to a research topic of their own choosing. On completion of the course, students should (1) be familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of the different research methods; (2) be able to evaluate critically the methodological approaches used in sociological studies; (3) have developed their abilities to present orally in class and to engage in considered intellectual discussion on the topics under consideration; and (4) have completed a feasible research proposal.
Topical Outline
The following topics may be covered in this course: I. Sociological research and science II. The research process and its problems III. Conceptualization, measurement, sampling IV. Causation and research design V. Data collection VI. Survey research VII. Experimental methods VIII. Qualitative methods IX. Quantitative historical methods X. Qualitative historical methods XI. Comparative methods XII Integrated methods
Syllabus
Public CV