08829 - Social Research Methodology

Learning outcomes

The course objective is to provide students with the methodological and technical  tools to read and understand data from quantitative social research and apply it  critically. Above all the course will cover the topics students find hardest (to begin  with, sampling techniques and statistical techniques for data analysis), and leave  the more accessible aspects to individual study (eg. data gathering techniques  and formulation of survey forms).

Course contents

1 - The research process.  2 - Planning research.  3 - Research logic.  4 - Sampling theory.  5 - Types of samples.  6 - Examples of complex samples.  7 - Variables: what they are and how they are built.  8 - Univariate analysis: frequency distribution.  9 - Other techniques of univariate analysis.  10 - Univariate analysis: measuring central tendency and variability.  11 - Bivariate analysis: double entry tables.  12 - Measuring significativity: chi-square.  13 - Measuring intensity relationship.  14 - Multivariate analysis.

Readings/Bibliography

The exam will be based exclusively on the following text:   P. Corbetta, Metodologia e tecniche della ricerca sociale, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1999.  All students must be familiar with the following chapters: I - V, VIII, XII (only  paragraphs 1 - 7 and 11 - 13), XIII (only paragraphs 1 - 4 and  8).

Teaching methods

Direct lessons   

 
Lessons calendar: 

Assessment methods

Written exam consisting of 8 closed and 5 open questions. Time allowed: 70  minutes.

Note
The following are available on the lecturer's website:
1. List of questions (open and closed) from which test questions will be selected (see page: “Exam guide”).
2. Exam calendar until September 2012.

Teaching tools

Videoprojector, PC

Links to further information

http://www.scedu.unibo.it/mrossi

Office hours

See the website of Maurizio Rossi