Advanced SociologicalMethodology

Code:

DSOC012

Acronym:

MSA

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Sociology

Instance: 2021/2022 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Sociology
Course/CS Responsible:	Third cycle of studies in Sociology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
DSOC	9	DSOC - Study Plan	1	-	6	41	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The overall goal is to consolidate methodological skills that help students plan for a research project while being fully aware of its components and of the different research paradigms available. The specific goals encompass: acquiring advanced knowledge on how to put into practice the hermeneutic and the explanatory research paradigms; building a critical and reflexive stance towards the different research paradigms; getting in touch with innovative approaches to sociological research.

 

Learning outcomes and competences

Students will be capable of approaching different research programs from a critical and reflexive perspective in order to select the most adequate framework for their own research plan. Students will be proficient in the use of the research techniques that stem from engaging with different research paradigm.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Not applicable. 

Program

1. Research paradigms in sociological research
2. Qualitative methodology
3. Quantitative Methodology
4. Mixed methodology
5. Reflexivity and ethics in sociological research

 

Mandatory literature

ACKLAND, Robert (2013); Web social science: concepts, data and tools for social scientists in the digital age. London: Sage Publications. ISBN 978-1-84920-482-8.
BABBIE, Earl (2017); The practice of social research. 14th ed. Boston: Cengage Learning. ISBN 978-1-305-10494-5.
BLACK, Thomas (1998); Doing quantitative research in the social sciences: an integrated approach to research design measurement and statistics. London: Sage Publications. ISBN 0-7619-5353-1.
BRYMAN, Alan (2012); Social research methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-958805-3.
CRESWELL, John W. (2014); Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. 4.ª ed. London: Sage Publications. ISBN 978-1-4522-7461-4.
DELANTY, Gerard (1997); Social science: beyond constructivism and realism. Buckingham: Open University Press. ISBN 0-335-19861-9.
MURRAY, Thomas R. (2006); Blending qualitative & quantitative research methods in theses and dissertations. Thousand Oaks: Corwin Press. ISBN 0-7619-3932-6.
RAGIN, Charles C. (1994); Constructing social research: the unity and diversity of method. Thousand Oaks: Pine Forge Press. ISBN 0-8039-9021-9.

Comments from the literature

Will be given additional bibliographical information for each program item and according to the needs felt by the students.

Teaching methods and learning activities

The contents in the syllabus are approached combining lectures on each topic with empirical demonstrations where students are actively engaged and share their research experiences. Some specific activities are planned with the goal of consolidating skills by mean of a hands-on approach. These activities include the submission of reflexive learning portfolios (RLP) and the participation in debate round tables. Students are expected to prepare their participation in the oral discussion of the different topics and are then called to register the results of the discussion in writing. All the course material, suggested readings and session contents are made available in Sigarra. Classes on statistical techniques take place in a computer room.

Software

Endnote
Spss
Ideapuzzle

keywords

Social sciences > Sociology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Trabalho escrito	75,00
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	25,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	78,00
Frequência das aulas	39,00
Trabalho escrito	45,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Students are assessed by the work they do in the reflexive learming portfolios (RLP) and by their participation.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final grade is obtained from the following weights: - 3 RLP - 75%; - Attendance and participation - 25%

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applicable.

Internship work/project

Not applicable.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Not aplicable.

Classification improvement

Observations

It is edited into a course page one dossier that meets a set of detailed information on the operation of the course. It is essential that you carefully read this file. The teaching materials are provided by teachers on the course page. A basic bibliography of the subject is required reading. Other bibliographies are given by teachers in the files to support the discipline. Hours for students: according to the availability of students and teachers. Its requires appointment by the student.