2019-2020 Catalog

PHR 371 Research Methods in Social Sciences

This course introduces students to the practice of social research - a broad set of theories, methods and ethics that the social sciences use to guide systematic and rigorous pursuit and production of knowledge about politics, society, and human rights. The course rests on the assumption that the collection and analysis of data about people is a craft that requires creativity, curiosity, and reflexivity. Students select a topic of empirical interest, review social and political theories that bear on the chosen topic, practice reading and interpreting social research findings, learn to analyze academic research articles in a literature review, and pose their own research question on the chosen topic. Students are introduced to methods by which to answer original, empirical research questions, including formulating a problem, designing research studies, engaging in data collection, practicing techniques of observation, mastering questionnaire construction, interviewing, sampling and performing basic statistical analyses using a statistical software program. 

Credits

4

Cross Listed Courses

Same as IS 371

Prerequisite

WRIT 102 or WRIT 201; PHR 101; or permission of the instructor