82137 - Laboratory Of Quantitative Social Research 1

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide students with the theoretical knowledge and technical skills necessary for the design, construction, and use of the standardized data collection tool (the questionnaire) employed in surveys. By the end of the laboratory sessions, students will be able to understand the main issues and potential solutions related to both the empirical translation of research hypotheses derived from a theoretical approach (conceptualization and operationalization of concepts into variables), and the construction of the questionnaire, particularly concerning critical aspects such as content, form, question formulation, and various methods of information retrieval.

Course contents

The course is divided into two main parts: a theoretical section and a practical section.


In the first part of the course, the following topics will be covered: the research design process, from formulating research questions to their empirical translation; methods for developing a clear operational definition or identifying appropriate indicators for the concept of interest; the types and nature of variable properties; and techniques for formulating questionnaire questions. Software web survey: Qualtrics or MS Forms

In the second part a theme will be chosen and a questionnaire will be constructed through a individual or group work (max 2 persons) guided by the teacher, retracing as much as possible the phases of construction of a questionnaire, until the uploading on Qualtrics for web surbey, pre-test and administer questionnaire.

Each student shall fill in the questionnaire. Students will be requested to present and discuss the questionnaire in the classroom. This aims to support students in the comprehension of initial research questions and methodological issues, and to assess the effectiveness and usefulness of the individual questionnaire. The preparation of the tool, and the presentation and discussion in the classroom are a fundamental part in determining the final grade (see below)

Readings/Bibliography

The course does not require the use of specific manuals / texts, however the teacher strongly recommends reading the following text:

P. Corbetta, Metodologia e tecniche della ricerca sociale, Il Mulino, 1999, chapters 3, 5, 6

The text can be replaced by P. Corbetta, La ricerca sociale: metodologia e tecniche, vol. II. Le tecniche quantitative, Il Mulino, 2003, chapters 1, 3 e 4.

M. C. Pitrone, Sondaggi e interviste, Franco Angeli, 2009, chapters 4-8.

Marradi A. (2019), Tutti redigono questionari. Ma è davvero così facile?, FrancoAngeli, Milano.

Teaching methods

In the first part, the laboratory is based on lectures aimed at providing the technical and operational knowledge necessary for designing a questionnaire. In the second part, the learning will focus on an experiential approach. Students will simulate the work of a professional team commissioned by a client to create a questionnaire that meets specific informational needs. During this phase, the work groups will engage in active learning by producing a concrete product: a questionnaire based on a real research question, using cooperative peer learning strategies. Practical exercises on administer questionnarie and web survey with Qualtrics or MS Forms guided by the teacher.. Finally, the simulation will include individual work for administering the designed questionnaire.

Assessment methods

The assessment of learning will be conducted in two parts:


1) An evaluation (collective) of the group work


2) An evaluation (individual) of five pre-test questionnaires and the corresponding pre-test analysis form.

Teaching tools

PC, Video projector, slides, scientific papers.

Office hours

See the website of Valerio Vanelli