Bachelor 2020/2021

Methodology and Methods for Sociological Research

Type: Compulsory course (Sociology and Social Informatics)

Area of studies: Sociology

Delivered by: Department of Sociology

Where: Saint-Petersburg School of Social Sciences

When: 2 year, 1, 2 module

Mode of studies: offline

Instructors: Мацкевич Мария Георгиевна, Yadviga Sinyavskaya

Language: English

ECTS credits: 5

Contact hours: 42

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The course covers the following general topics: - Planning and Designing Social research - Ethical issues in social Research - Interviewing and Questionnaire design - Content Analysis. Reading and discussion of some widely known studies is combined with practical exercises on development of research design and specific tools.

Learning Objectives

• introduce students to the basics of research methodology in social sciences, and give a brief overview of the most relevant research methods.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• Be able to formulate research question and choose appropriate methodology
• Understand the basic idea and the differences between main research methods: survey, anthropological/ biographical study, online research etc.
• Know the main stages of a research
• Know the ethical requirements and limitations for different research methods

Course Contents

• Planning and designing case studies
  The topic highlights the main stages of sociological research, the preparation of a sociological research, estimates, schedule of work.
• Ethical Issues in a Case Study
  The general idea of ethics of scientific research, ethical problems in sociological research.
• Interview and Questionnaire Design
  The topic discusses the objectives and features of the method, the general implementation procedure, advantages and disadvantages.
• Content Analysis
  The topic discusses the objectives and features of the method, the general implementation procedure, advantages and disadvantages.
• Observation
  The topic discusses the objectives and features of the method, the general implementation procedure, advantages and disadvantages. Typology of observations. Included and not included observation.
• Survey in a qualitative study
  The topic discusses the objectives and features of the method, the general implementation procedure, advantages and disadvantages.
• Focus Group Method
  The topic discusses the objectives and features of the method, the general implementation procedure, advantages and disadvantages.
• Secondary Data Analysis
  The topic considers data sources for secondary analysis, advantages and disadvantages of secondary data analysis.

Assessment Elements

• Activities in class
• Home assignments
• Exam

Interim Assessment

• Interim assessment (2 module)
  0.2 * Activities in class + 0.4 * Exam + 0.4 * Home assignments

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Hegde, D. S. (2015). Essays on Research Methodology. New Delhi: Springer. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=nlebk&AN=1001250
• Maruyama, G., & Ryan, C. S. (2014). Research Methods in Social Relations (Vol. 8th ed). Malden, Mass: Wiley-Blackwell. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=798826

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Kothari, C. R. (2004). Research Methodology : Methods & Techniques (Vol. 2nd rev. ed). New Delhi: New Age International. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=277465
• Rugg, G., & Petre, M. (2007). A Gentle Guide to Research Methods. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill Education. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=234246