Methods in Social Studies

obowiązkowe

The course is dedicated to graduate students (studenci II stopnia).

Knowledge of English on the B2 level, both written and oral.

The course introduces students to social science research methods. We will go through a wide range of basic research approaches, discuss their strengths and weaknesses, and see results of their practical application in various studies. The course participants will try to translate abstract concepts, such as discrimination, into concrete observable behaviours that can be recorded and analysed. They will face the difficulties of defining the study population and sample selection. They will learn to understand basic descriptive statistics. They will get acquainted with experiments, surveys, the ideas of field and desk research as well as with the basics quantitative and qualitative approaches. They will read results from qualitative interviews (IDI or FGI). The knowledge gained in the course will allow students to understand and critically assess results of social science research, results presented in public reports or claims made in the media.

The course’s aim is to introduce students to social science research methods in an understandable and practical way. We will rely on Earl Babbie’s classical handbook “The Practice of Social Research” and complement it with relevant research examples and hands-on exercises. Thus, the topics of the course will include:

● Introduction to inquiry in the Social Sciences

● Research design

● Elementary statistics: joint variable distributions and conditional distributions, as well as measures of central tendency; index, scales and typologies

● Generalizing one’s results (and the logic of sampling)

● Elementary data visualisation

● Modes of Observation: Surveys, Experiments, Qualitative Field Research, Unobtrusive and Evaluation, Case Studies, Action Research

● The ideas behind analysis of qualitative and quantitative data

● Ethics and Politics of Social Research

● Reading Social Research (Sociology, Economics, Demography, Political Science)

After completing the course, students should be able to read a typical academic paper in the Social Sciences and have a basic understanding of the methods used, as well as be able to critically assess and discuss its contents and conclusions.

Babbie Earl (2020), “The Practice of Social Research” 15th ed.

Selected Fragments:

Babbie E. (2018) “Adventures in Social Research”

Bryman, A., “Social Research Methods.”

Huff D. and I. Geis (1993) “How to Lie with Statistics”

Field A. (2009) “Discovering Statistics Using SPSS” [3rd ed. Or newer]

Additional readings:

Berg Bruce L. (2009), “Qualitative Research Methods for the Social Sciences”

Brinkmann S. and S. Kvale (2014), ”InterViews: Learning the Craft of Qualitative Research Interviewing”.

Buttolph Johnson J., H.T. Reynolds and J. D. Mycoff (2015), „Political Science Research Methods”

Bąk J. (2020) “Statystycznie rzecz biorąc”

Hammersley M., P. Atkinson, (2019), Ethnography Principles in Practice

Frankfort-Nachmias Chava, David Nachmias and Jack DeWaard (2014) “Research Methods in the Social Sciences” 8th ed.

Lofland J. (1996), „Social Movement Organizations: Guide to Research on Insurgent Realities”

Silverman D. (2013), “Doing Qualitative Research: A Practical Handbook”

Silverman D. (2019), “Interpreting Qualitative Data”

Oppenheim A.N. (2000), „Questionnaire Design, Interviewing and Attitude Measurement”

KNOWLEDGE:

The students will be able to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the terminology used in social sciences and the role they play in culture (K_W04).

ABILITIES:

- the student will be able to critically assess information from various sources, including scientific, popular science, journalistic, and other sources (K_U02).

- Students will also be able to prepare oral or written presentations, using a range of digital tools, to present logical and convincing arguments to support their beliefs and knowledge (K_U04).

- Students will be able to present the results of academic work in an appropriate form, adhering to ethical principles, including those related to copyrights, and knowing the rules of using data sources, including digital sources (K_U11).

SOCIAL COMPETENCIES:

- the student will be ready to take up teamwork, including in a research team, and accept the competence to choose the most appropriate means to perform the indicated tasks (K_K02).

- Students will also be able to show respect for partners in the discussion, using substantive arguments, and understand the principles of tolerance and cultural differences (K_K03).

Homework – 50% (online and offline)

Project: a critique of a published academic paper – 50%

Absence limit: 4 (2 days of classes)

If student exceeds 50% of missed classes, she/he needs to retake the class