Course Description:
How do we evaluate whether the research and evidence we consume is sound and whether the conclusions presented are believable? This is an essential skill in a polarized world where we can't always count on honest presentation of evidence. This introductory course in social research methods will answer that question by providing an overview of how sociologists study the social world. You will learn about the basic tools needed to conduct social research while also developing the skills necessary to critically evaluate the research of others. We will begin with a discussion of the fundamental concepts and issues involved in social science research and move on to consider a variety of approaches to social research, including qualitative research methods, surveys and experimental research design. Students will learn these methods through firsthand experience with data collection and hypothesis testing. The course assumes no background in research methods or statistics.
Additional syllabi:
Fall 2024 01:920:311:03-04
Fall 2024 01:920:311:90-91
