78160 - Methodology of Political and Social Research (O-Z)

Learning outcomes

This course provides an introduction to the most important methodological problems students of political and social science have to tackle constantly. It is designed to get participants acquainted with opportunities and limits of data-gathering and data-analyzing techniques. The objectives of the class are to prevent a mechanical and non-critical use of these techniques and to make students aware of the peculiar nature of social sciences subjects of analysis: human beings, their symbols, values, and institutions

Course contents

The first part of the course begins with a study of the epistemological and gnoseological elements of human sciences: the concept of concept, the differences between concepts and propositions, the distinction between physical sciences and social sciences.

The second part deals with the logic of the social research and the survey design: unity of the analysis, variables, indicators, sampling procedures, data-matrix construction.

The third part is focused on the principles of the statistical analysis: from the function of monovariate analysis to the logic of multivariate analysis.

Readings/Bibliography

1) One of the following books:

P. BORDANDINI e R. CARTOCCI (2009), Cipolle a colazione. Bologna: Il Mulino

R. CARTOCCI (2011), Geografia dell'Italia cattolica. Bologna: Il Mulino

P. BORDANDINI (2013), La spada di Vendola. Roma: Donzelli

G. Di Federico e M. Sapignoli (2014), I diritti della difesa nel processo penale e la riforma della giustizia. Padova: CEDAM

2) A. MARRADI (2007), Metodologia delle scienze sociali. Bologna: Il Mulino (except chapters 1 and 2).

3) Lecture notes on data analysis (monovariate techniques, cross tabulation, regression and correlation, analysis of variance) available on web pages.

Teaching methods

Classroom lessons, with possible additional lessons on single topics.

Assessment methods

The students who attend the course can participate in a procedure of evaluation during the course period. It consists in two or three tests based on multiple choice questions.

Those who do not attend – or those who didn't pass the above procedure – have to attend one written test (it consists in two or three tests based on multiple choice questions) and an oral exam at the official examination times.

Links to further information

https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/michele.sapignoli

Office hours

See the website of Michele Sapignoli