SOC756 Research Methods in Sociology

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2011
Extent and Intensity
1/1. 15 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. Bernadette Nadya Jaworsky, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Ing. Radim Marada, Ph.D.
Division of Sociology – Department of Sociology – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Ing. Soňa Enenkelová
Timetable
Thu 14:00–15:40 U42
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 40 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/40, only registered: 0/40
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
This course will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the diverse research methods used in the social sciences and an overview of the necessary practical skills required for their application. Students will learn the basic methods of both qualitative and quantitative research. Individual topics include the formulation of problems, techniques for gathering data and presenting and interpreting results, and research ethics. At the end of the semester, students should be able to create a research proposal and carry out a project that allows them to find answers to relevant social science questions.

By the end of the semester, students should be able to:

• Recognize, define and discuss various methods for research in the social sciences
• Review and assess existing research according to its methodology and use of data and methods
• Compare and contrast quantitative and qualitative research methods
• Formulate research problems and apply techniques for collecting data and presenting and interpreting findings that address the relevant research questions
• Critically reflect about the ontological and epistemological consequences of their own methodological decisions
• Cultivate research proficiency and expertise by undertaking a semester-long assignment that involves designing a research project and writing up a proposal elaborating it
Syllabus
  • • 1st Seminar: Introduction
  • • 2nd Seminar: Reading, Reviewing Reflecting (focus on: ethics)
  • • 3rd Seminar: Listening, Exploring the Case and Theorizing (focus on: ethnography)
  • • 4th Seminar: Listening, Exploring the Case and Theorizing (focus on: interviewing)
  • • 5th Seminar: Observing, Querying, Interpreting (Focus: grounded theory/content analysis)
  • • 6th Seminar: Quantitative Methods Part I
  • • 7th Seminar: No Class – Reading Week
  • • 8th Seminar: Quantitative Methods Part I (focus on: mixed methods)
  • • 9th Seminar: No class – Holiday, Issues of Power and Researching for Impact
  • • 10th Seminar: Identity, Community, Representation (focus on: visual sociology)
  • • 10th Seminar: Online Research (focus on: surveys)
  • • 11th Seminar: Researching in Postmodern Contexts
  • • 13th Seminar: In-class presentations of preliminary research proposals
Literature
    required literature
  • Somekh, Bridget and Cathy Lewin. 2011. Theory and Methods in Social Research. London: Sage Publications
  • BRYMAN, Alan. Social research methods. 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008, xiii, 748. ISBN 9780199202959. info
  • The SAGE handbook of qualitative research. Edited by Norman K. Denzin - Yvonna S. Lincoln. 3rd ed. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, 2005, xix, 1210. ISBN 0761927573. info
    recommended literature
  • CRESWELL, John W. and Vicki L. PLANO CLARK. Designing and conducting mixed methods research. 2nd ed. Los Angeles: SAGE, 2011, xxvi, 457. ISBN 9781412975179. info
  • MURCHISON, Julian M. Ethnography essentials : designing, conducting, and presenting your research. 1st ed. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2010, xii, 242. ISBN 9780470343890. info
  • BABBIE, Earl R. The practice of social research. 12th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2010, xxiv, 530. ISBN 9780495598428. info
  • YIN, Robert K. Case study research : design and methods. 4th ed. Los Angeles, Calif.: Sage Publications, 2009, xiv, 219. ISBN 9781412960991. info
  • The SAGE handbook of online research methods. Edited by Nigel Fielding - Raymond M. Lee - Grant Blank. Los Angeles: Sage, 2008, xvi, 370. ISBN 9781412922937. info
Teaching methods
The course will be given in the form of workshops, where both the teacher and the students give oral presentations. Students are expected to complete the weekly readings prior to class and be prepared to discuss them. Questioning, explaining, collaborating, and demonstrating will be used as teaching methods and strategies.
Assessment methods
Conditions for passing the course:

1. Systematic work on and (short, 1-page) written responses to weekly readings
2. Oral presentation in class (10-12 minutes)
3. Written Assignment - Methods and Data Analysis (3-5 pages)
4. Written Assignment – Research Proposal (8-10 pages)

Particular activities of students will be evaluated as follows:

30% - reading, responses and class participation
20% - oral presentation
15% - written assignment - Methods and Data Analysis
35% - written assignment – Research Proposal
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
Information on course enrolment limitations: Výhradně pro zahraniční studenty programů "Sociology" a "Erasmus". Just for Sociology and Erasmus students.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2006, Spring 2007, Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2015, Autumn 2016, Autumn 2017, Autumn 2018, Autumn 2019.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2011, recent)
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