08829 - Social Research Methodology

Academic Year 2019/2020

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, students will able: to know the methodological issues related to sociological research in formal and informal training environments; - to know the main research designs and both quantitative and qualitative methods of research; - to know tools and methods to realize empirical research on training policies, the market and work organizations; - to make a connection between multiple variables to perform complex analysis of adult education and training phenomena; - to design a case study to deepen the knowledge of social phenomena related to the training dynamics and reflect autonomously upon them -  to structure a social research project presentation and report on progress the results of an empirical research -  to communicate clearly and correctly the results of an social research using different communication channels and registers

Course contents

The course presents the methods of empirical research in social research.

Contents include: research in social research, steps and phases of quantitative and qualitative research, tool for data acquisition, elaboration and interpretation, choice of research methods, dissemination of research results.

Readings/Bibliography

Corbetta P., Metodologia e tecniche della ricerca sociale, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2014 (prima edizione 1999)

cap 1 (tutto), cap. 2 (tutto), cap. 3 (tutto), cap. 5 (tutto), cap. 6 (tutto), cap. 8 (tutto), cap. 10 (tutto), cap. 11 (tutto), cap. 13 (tutto eccetto par. 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 9.1, 9.2, 11.1), cap. 14 (tutto eccetto par 3, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 7.2, 7.3)

Teaching methods

Face-to-face lessons and group work


Assessment methods

Distance written examination consisting of questions and exercises.


Teaching tools

Videoprojector, PC. 

Office hours

See the website of Pasquale Colloca