This entry-level course is designed for beginners with no experience in social science research. It starts with basic questions, such as "what is research, hypothesis, variables, unit of analysis, reliability, validity?" and so on. The course introduces students to types of research (academic, applied, conceptual, empirical, deductive, inductive, quantitative, qualitative) and the main stages of the research design (formulating a research question, conducting a literature review, choosing an appropriate research method, assessing the results). Instructor-led classes may include lectures, discussions, case studies, readings, group work. Assessment may include class participation, papers, essays, exams, and presentations.
The course addresses a range of topics related to social science research: its basic types, typical steps involved, criteria used to judge its quality, how it can inform decision-making and what it should not be used for. It encourages students to answer some of the questions with practical examples of their own, helping them understand the foundations of social science research logic and practice some of the steps. The course equips students with skills to distinguish good quality academic or applied research from sloppy or biased work. It also helps them move beyond a simplistic “research = Google” perception. This course lays the foundation for the subsequent research methods courses in BAPG. It also helps students develop critical thinking and academic writing skills necessary for producing good quality academic papers in other courses.
- Instructor: Yevgenya Paturyan