Ateneo - UPO

The course introduces the epistemological and methodological foundations of social research and the main stages of the empirical research process. Particular attention will be paid to research design, the formulation of research questions and hypotheses, the definition and operationalization of concepts, as well as the main methods and tools of qualitative and quantitative research.
The course is divided into four parts. The first addresses the paradigms of social research and key ontological, epistemological, and methodological issues, introducing the main stages of research design. The second focuses on qualitative research and its main data collection methods. The third covers quantitative research, from questionnaire design to data organization and analysis. The fourth consists of laboratory activities carried out both in class and at home, aimed at developing and presenting a research design.

CORBETTA Piergiorgio (2014), Metodologia e tecniche della ricerca sociale, 2nd edition, Il Mulino, Bologna. Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 13 (Sections 1–6), 14 (Sections 1–2).
CARDANO Mario (2011), La ricerca qualitativa, Il Mulino, Bologna. Chapters: 3, 4, 5.
BICHI Rita (2007), La conduzione delle interviste nella ricerca sociale, Carocci, Rome, pp. 24–42.
Students may choose between Chapter 4 of Cardano's book and the specified pages of Bichi's book, as they cover the same topic.

The course aims to provide students with the theoretical and methodological knowledge needed to understand the main stages of the research process in the social sciences and to make informed choices between quantitative and qualitative approaches.
The course also aims to develop students’ ability to formulate a research problem and research question, construct a research design consistent with the research objectives, and identify appropriate methods for collecting and organizing empirical data.

No specific prior knowledge or skills are required. There are no prerequisites.

The course consists of lectures characterized by continuous interaction with students and devoted to the presentation and discussion of the main theoretical and methodological concepts, complemented by examples and exercises aimed at applying the knowledge acquired.
The course also includes in-class laboratory activities focused on developing a research design. These activities enable students to apply the methodological knowledge acquired, formulate and justify their methodological choices, and orally present their work.
Attendance is not compulsory but is strongly recommended.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage:
https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services- students-physical-or-learning-disabilities
Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination

The assessment evaluates students’ knowledge and understanding of the main theoretical and methodological concepts and their ability to apply them to the development of a research design.
Students who do not participate in the laboratory activities
The assessment consists of a 60-minute written examination comprising three open-ended questions (maximum 21 points, 7 points per question) and five multiple-choice questions (maximum 9 points, 1.8 points for each correct answer). The final grade is determined by the sum of the scores obtained. To pass the examination, students must achieve an overall score of at least 18/30 and at least 12/21 in the open-ended questions. These are assessed on the basis of the accuracy and completeness of the content, the appropriate use of methodological terminology, and the ability to develop a coherent argument and establish connections between concepts.
Students who participate in the laboratory activities
The in-class laboratory activities, involving the development and presentation of a research design, are graded on a 30-point scale, taking into account the completeness and coherence of the research design, the appropriateness of the methodological choices, the ability to justify and discuss these choices, and the clarity of the presentation. During the examination session, students also take a five-question multiple-choice test, graded on a 30-point scale (6 points for each correct answer), which is passed with at least three correct answers. The final grade is calculated as a weighted average of the laboratory activities (70%) and the multiple-choice test (30%); both components must receive a passing grade.
For both assessment methods, in-depth knowledge of the course content and the ability to connect and apply concepts independently and coherently contribute to achieving higher grades.

Part One – The scientific method and the methodology of the social sciences. Ontological, epistemological, and methodological issues in social research. The main paradigms of social research and social research design. Two different approaches to understanding social reality: quantitative and qualitative research.
Part Two – The typical structure of qualitative research. Participant observation. Qualitative interviewing and in-depth interviewing. Focus groups.
Part Three – The typical structure of quantitative research (concepts, properties, and variables; units of analysis; indicators and the operationalization of concepts; dependent and independent variables). Survey research. Questionnaire design and question formulation. Organization of data collection. Data organization: the cases-by-variables (CxV) matrix. Univariate analysis. Bivariate analysis.
Part Four – In-class laboratory activities aimed at developing a research design. Starting from the identification of a research problem (chosen by the students) and the formulation of a research question, students will develop the different components of the research design, identifying methodological choices and data collection methods consistent with the research objectives. The research designs developed will be presented and discussed in class.

Knowledge and Understanding
By the end of the course, students will be able to understand the main paradigms of social research, the stages of research design, and the fundamental characteristics of quantitative and qualitative approaches.
Applying Knowledge and Understanding
Students will be able to formulate a research problem and research question, identify methodological choices consistent with the research objectives, develop the fundamental components of a research design, and select appropriate methods for data collection and organization.
Making Judgements
Students will be able to assess the appropriateness of key methodological choices in relation to different research questions and objectives.
Communication Skills
Students will be able to use the terminology of social research methodology appropriately and to present and discuss the main choices involved in developing a research design.
Learning Skills
Students will be able to use the methodological knowledge acquired to understand and critically analyse simple social research designs and to independently further their knowledge of empirical research topics and methods.