Ateneo - UPO

Fundamentals of sociological research perspectives; Main quantitative research methods (primary and secondary); Qualitative research methods: participant observation, interview, and focus group.

P. Corbetta (2014) Metodologia e tecniche della ricerca sociale, Bologna, Il Mulino (chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 11).
For students who have never taken a sociology course, a recommended reading is A. Bagnasco (2007), Prima lezione di sociologia, Bari, Laterza.

The course aims to provide students with an introductory overview of the main methods of sociological research, quantitative and qualitative.

None.

Lectures.

The examination will consist of a written test consisting of closed-ended questions (multiple-choice, true/false) and short open-ended questions.
The evaluation will mainly take into account knowledge, understanding and ability to apply the fundamental concepts.

1. The paradigms of sociological research; distinction between quantitative and qualitative research; research design.
2. Quantitative methods: operationalisation of concepts and types of variables; error, validity, and reliability; the survey.
3. Qualitative methods: participant observation, interview, focus group.

By the end of the course, students will have acquired the fundamental concepts underlying sociological research; they will be familiar with the main research techniques, both quantitative and qualitative; they will be able to identify the most appropriate research method to answer certain research questions on social phenomena.