Master
2024/2025
Methodology and Logic of Sociological Research Design
Type:
Compulsory course (Data Analytics and Social Statistics)
Area of studies:
Applied Mathematics and Informatics
Delivered by:
International Laboratory for Applied Network Research
Where:
Faculty of Social Sciences
When:
1 year, 3 module
Mode of studies:
offline
Open to:
students of one campus
Instructors:
Oxana Mikhaylova
Master’s programme:
Аналитика данных и прикладная статистика
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The purpose of the course is to provide insight into the main stages of the development of sociological research and to offer practically useful tools and approaches. The course will be useful for those who do not have special training in empirical sociological research, but they need to work with research data, evaluate the validity of research project conclusions, and make decisions based on confirmed or unconfirmed hypotheses. The course presents conceptual and operational definitions and their relations to one another, how variables are expressed distinctively, and how to formulate hypotheses that back up scientific findings.
Additionally, the course examines the possibilities of AI agents for use at different stages of sociological research. It is based on the principle that we think first, then use the capabilities of AI. Students will be asked to try out a particular tool and method for solving typical practical tasks of a researcher. Students will work on their own research issues throughout the course to apply the theoretical understanding to their practical applications.
Learning Objectives
- Knowledge of the major steps in developing a sociological study.
- Capability to create the program of a sociological study.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Names three types of sociological discourse.
- Explains the language of sociological research.
- Names the steps of measurement procedure in sociology.
- Describes the theories of measurement in sociology.
- Differentiates between the methods of theory construction in sociological research.
- Applies the principles of sociological study design in empirical studies.
Course Contents
- 3. Sampling as the basis of reasoning about the research logic.
- 2. AI as a partner for the researcher
- 1. The methodology and logic of empirical sociological research. The main epistemic issues.
Assessment Elements
- Participation in class activities
- Reconstruction of study logic (article analysis)
Interim Assessment
- 2024/2025 3rd module0.4 * Participation in class activities + 0.6 * Reconstruction of study logic (article analysis)
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Doyle Paul Johnson. (2008). Contemporary Sociological Theory : An Integrated Multi-Level Approach (Vol. 2008). Springer.
- Hamed Alavi, & Patrycja Hąbek. (2016). Addressing Research Design Problem in Mixed Methods Research. Management Systems in Production Engineering, 1(21), 62–66. https://doi.org/10.12914/MSPE-10-01-2016
- Holden, M. T., & Lynch, P. (2004). Choosing the Appropriate Methodology: Understanding Research Philosophy. Marketing Review, 4(4), 397–409. https://doi.org/10.1362/1469347042772428
- Iovu, M.-B., Rata, G., & Runcan, P.-L. (2013). Applied Social Sciences : Sociology. Newcastle upon Tyne, UK: Cambridge Scholars Publishing. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=553316
- Patil, S. (2020). Research Methodology in Social Sciences. NIPA.
- 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
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- 100 activities for teaching research methods, Dawson, C., 2016
- A history of sociological research methods in America, 1920-1960, Platt, J., 1996
- Action research methods : plain and simple, , 2012
- Advanced methods and models, Springer, C. N., 1965
- Advances in mixed methods research : theories and applications, , 2008