The goal of this class is to introduce the student to the methods by which social science research is conducted. Because scientific research plays such a central role in the experience of modern society, it is important for students -- as citizens of that society and consumers of that research -- to be able to evaluate with some level of sophistication the validity of the research they encounter.
Additionally, since the ability to systematically gather and rigorously evaluate socially generated data is, today more than ever, a practical skill of use in fields like marketing, advertising, and other information-oriented industries, it is beneficial for students to have at least a rudimentary level of knowledge of the tasks required for and considerations that enter into the design of social science research.
The course starts off by talking about science as a method -- the norms and rationale underlying how scientists proceed in their efforts to generate new knowledge, and the standards by which scientific knowledge should be evaluated. Then it moves into the components of the research process (focusing on deductive methods) and examines theory building, developing measures, designing valid studies, and analyzing data.
An outline of the concepts to be presented in class is available by clicking here.
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