90487 - Social Research Methedological Laboratory (B)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has a basic knowledge of the methodology and techniques of social research: first of all, an elementary knowledge of the main paradigms of social and political sciences and of the tendencies in the social research development that they generated; secondly, a more in-depth knowledge of the specific social research techniques developed on the basis of these tendencies, particularly with regard to qualitative techniques. This knowledge will enable him to plan and conduct qualitative social research. In particular, the student will be able to: identify his information needs on the basis of his research question, arrange the research design, carry out the necessary procedures for data collection and processing, present the data.

Course contents

The lessons will be divided into three phases.

The first phase will have an introductory character and will consist in the description of the foundations of the methodology of research in social and political sciences: the main paradigms existing within the scientific community, and their consequences in encouraging the development of quantitative or qualitative social research techniques, will be exposed and analyzed.

The second phase will consist in presenting the main elements of the quantitative technique of social research best known and used by sociologists and political scientists: the survey. The terms, procedures, types of questions, forms of sampling and data analysis will be synthetically illustrated, also through brief demonstrations of the SPSS program use.

The third and final phase will consist in explaining the main qualitative techniques of social research: participant observation; qualitative interview (structured, semi-structured, unstructured); focus group; document analysis. In particular, the procedures of qualitative interviews and focus groups will be illustrated, also through the presentation of examples of letters of introduction, questionnaires, tracks and transcriptions. Finally, group research exercises on specific sociological and political issues chosen by the students will be encouraged, with interviews to be carried out on the field under safe conditions, given the particular health situation.

Readings/Bibliography

As a basis and support for frontal lessons, the reading of the following texts is required:

Corbetta P. (2015), La ricerca sociale: metodologia e tecniche. I. I paradigmi di riferimento, 2^ Edizione, Il Mulino, Bologna, Introduction and chapter 1 "I paradigmi della ricerca sociale", pp. 7-46 (compulsory). Chapter 2 "Ricerca quantitativa e ricerca qualitativa", pp. 47-92, is optional.

Corbetta P. (2015), La ricerca sociale: metodologia e tecniche. III. Le tecniche qualitative, 2^ Edizione, Il Mulino, Bologna, capitolo 2 “L’intervista qualitativa”, pp. 63-103.

Cardano M. (2003), Tecniche di ricerca qualitativa, Carocci, Roma, chapter 5 “Il focus group”, pp. 153-176.

Teaching methods

The course will consist initially in frontal lessons, with large use of electronic and audiovisual instruments, and then in interactive lessons, that is, in group exercises, carried out in the classroom and (as far as possible) on the field. They will be held in a blended mode, that is, both on site and remote, through the TEAMS platform.

Assessment methods

As specified in the Educational Regulations of the Course of Study, it is mandatory to attend the laboratory. In order to certify students' actual attendance at the lessons, the teacher will take note of their presence on site and on the TEAMS platform.

The student must therefore attend at least 70% of the lessons. This is a necessary precondition for being admitted to the final exam, i.e. the qualifying examination.

In fact, the laboratory does not assign final marks. At the end of the course, the student will be able to obtain a “qualification”.

The qualifying examination will be carried out in two subsequent steps: first of all, at the end of the course the groups of students will present the results of the research carried out through the use of slides, and each member of each group will have to speak; subsequently, brief individual oral exams relating to the texts in the bibliography will be carried out. Each step will contribute equally to the final qualifying assessment.

Teaching tools

Slides, images and Windows programs and Office package.

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Fabbri