Research Methods in Social Science (Certificate)

Understanding Social Science Research Methods: A Comprehensive Introduction

This course provides a foundational understanding of how we investigate the complexities of human behavior and societal issues. As consumers of information from diverse sources – including journals, news, and popular media – it’s crucial to develop strong critical thinking skills to evaluate scientific evidence.

You'll explore the core principles of social science research, learning how researchers systematically gather and analyze data to understand social phenomena and address real-world problems. We'll delve into the diverse landscape of the social sciences, encompassing fields like:

• Anthropology: Studying human societies and cultures and their development.
• Economics: Examining the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.
• Political Science: Analyzing governance, political systems, and public policy.
• Psychology: Investigating the human mind and behavior.
• Sociology: Exploring social structures, interactions, and institutions.

Key Topics Covered:

• Research Process: Learn the essential stages of social research, from identifying a problem to disseminating findings.
• Research Methods: Gain familiarity with a wide array of social science research methods, including:
  • Observational Methods: Systematic observation and data collection.
  • Survey Research: Designing and administering effective surveys.
  • Correlation & Experimental Designs: Understanding relationships between variables.
• Ethical Considerations: A significant portion of the course is dedicated to research ethics. You'll learn to:
  • Define ethical principles in research.
  • Identify potential ethical concerns throughout the research process.
  • Recognize professional codes of ethics.
  • Understand the importance of ethical considerations in research design and conduct.
• Identifying Influences on Behavior: Explore various factors that shape human actions and mental processes.
• Behavioral Theories: Compare and contrast different theoretical frameworks used to explain behavior.
• Problem Selection: Learn how to identify and define significant social problems worthy of investigation.
• Research Design: Develop skills in:
  • Choosing appropriate research designs (experimental vs. non-experimental).
  • Understanding non-survey research methods.
  • Designing research questions and frameworks.
  • Developing appropriate measures for data collection.
  • Comparing between-subject and within-subject experimental designs.
• Data Analysis & Interpretation:
  • Recognize and define key terms related to data analysis and interpretation.
  • Understand how to measure validity and reliability.
  • Distinguish between quantitative and qualitative data.
  • Apply statistical concepts to social science research.
• Research Reporting: Develop skills in:
  • Writing clear and concise research reports.
  • Creating effective abstracts.
  • Presenting research findings.
  • Identifying presentation measures of association.
  • Composing social science research results.
• Information Gathering: Learn to gather relevant information from a variety of sources.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Define social science and various research methods.
• Identify the stages of social research.
• Recognize different types of research methods.
• Understand influences on human behavior.
• Compare various theories of behavior.
• Define ethics in research.
• Identify ethical concerns in research.
• Explain the importance of ethical considerations in research.
• Identify factors affecting problem selection.
• Recognize examples of current research.
• Develop ideas for research study.
• Explain influences on choosing a research design.
• Compare and contrast experimental and nonexperimental research.
• Recognize technical terms in survey research methods.
• Compare between-subject and within-subject experimental design.
• Recognize non-survey data collection techniques.
• Recognize how validity and reliability are measured.
• Explain the use of statistics in social science.
• Write in a clear and concise style.
• Gather relevant information from a variety of sources.
• Write an abstract appropriate for the target audience.
• Create and write a research report.
• Define terms relating to analysis and interpretation of research.
• Identify key methods in research reporting.
• Recognize presentation measures of association.
• Compose social science research results.

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