SOCI 620: Methods and Logic of Social Inquiry

SOCI 620-001: Methods/Logic Social Inquiry
(Fall 2022)

04:30 PM to 07:10 PM M

Innovation Hall 317

Section Information for Fall 2022

This course is designed to provide you with an in-depth understanding of the research process and to introduce you to a variety of research methods in sociology and to the theories that underlie them. Its aim is to both set students new to Sociology on a firm path to research design and to help students more familiar with sociological research finalize an actionable research proposal. You will engage with theories of knowledge and of reality that support and inform choices of methods in research design. Methods such as content analysis, statistical analysis, comparative and historical analysis, surveys, field and participant observation, experiments, applied sociology and participatory action research, among others, are all ways to gather, organize, study, and make available information about the social world and to help researchers think critically and systematically about how the world works. Your questions, problems, and ideas will inform our discussions and help you and your colleagues to construct shared understandings of the major research traditions in sociology and their utilities and limitations. Additionally, by the end of this course you should have a personal theory of what social research is for, and of what it should be for: What is the purpose of social research? The final course project is a full research proposal that could be used to support future Thesis, Capstone or Dissertation research. This requires that you have an empirical project in mind, or that you select a question to engage with throughout the semester. 

Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Emphasizes gathering, interpreting, and evaluating scientific evidence. Covers logic of scientific inquiry, including the application of various research designs and data collection methods. Develops critical-thinking skills by using set of rules and logical criteria for evaluation of social science research. Focuses both on how results are obtained and disseminated via research reports. May not be repeated for credit.
Recommended Prerequisite: Undergraduate statistics and research methodology, or permission of instructor.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Sociology.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.