Department of Global and Interdisciplinary Studies

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SOC100ZA(社会学 / Sociology 100)
Introduction to Social Research Methods

Daiki Hiramori

Class code etc
Faculty/Graduate school Department of Global and Interdisciplinary Studies
Attached documents
Year 2024
Class code A6135
Previous Class code
Previous Class title
Term 春学期授業/Spring
Day/Period 月3/Mon.3
Class Type
Campus 市ヶ谷 / Ichigaya
Classroom name 市富士‐F302
Grade 1~4
Credit(s) 2
Notes
Open Program
Open Program (Notes)
Global Open Program
Interdepartmental class taking system for Academic Achievers
Interdepartmental class taking system for Academic Achievers (Notes)
Class taught by instructors with practical experience
SDGs CP
Urban Design CP
Diversity CP
Learning for the Future CP
Carbon Neutral CP
Chiyoda Campus Consortium
Duplicate Subjects Taken Under Previous Class Title
Category (commenced 2024 onwards) 100-level Introductory Courses(入門)
Art-Media-Sociology
Category (commenced 2020-2023) 100-level Introductory Courses(入門)
Social Sciences
Category (commenced 2016-2019) 100-level Introductory Courses
Culture and Society

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Outline and objectives

This course is designed to provide an introductory overview of social research methods. This course begins with conceptual issues in research, such as how theory is used in the research process and ethical issues in social science research. Then, building blocks of empirical research, such as hypotheses, measurement, reliability, validity, and sampling, are covered. The course also touches on a variety of research approaches, such as survey research, experimental research, content analysis, ethnography, in-depth interviewing, and cognitive interviews. In this course, students will learn how social scientists design social research, collect the data, and conduct the analysis. Details of specific research methods will be covered in more advanced courses, such as “Qualitative Research Methods” and “Quantitative Research Methods."

Goal

By the end of this course, students will be able to: (1) identify and describe the key concepts of social research methods (remembering/understanding), (2) apply those concepts to a context different from one in which it was learned (applying), (3) compare and contrast various approaches to social research (analyzing), and (4) choose appropriate research methods to propose a research project of their own (evaluating/creating).

Which item of the diploma policy will be obtained by taking this class?

Will be able to gain “DP 1”, “DP 2”, “DP 3”, and “DP 4”.

Default language used in class

英語 / English

Method(s)(学期の途中で変更になる場合には、別途提示します。 /If the Method(s) is changed, we will announce the details of any changes. )

This course is taught primarily through interactive lectures. A variety of active learning techniques, such as in-class writing assignments (one-minute papers), neighbor discussions (think-pair-share), and comment sheets, are used to accommodate the diversity in student learning styles. In-class quizzes are held occasionally so that students understand their own level of understanding of the course materials at the moment. Verbal and written feedback on assignments is given during class discussions and through using other tools as appropriate. Also, feedback for the previous class is given at the beginning of each class. Students are encouraged to visit the instructor during office hours for more personalized feedback.

Active learning in class (Group discussion, Debate.etc.)

あり / Yes

Fieldwork in class

なし / No

Schedule

授業形態/methods of teaching:対面/face to face

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1[オンライン/online]:Introduction

Introduction

2[対面/face to face]:Linking Social Science Theory to Research (1): The Elements of Theory

What are the purposes for social scientists to use theory? What are the elements of theory?

3[対面/face to face]:Linking Social Science Theory to Research (2): The Role of Theory in Social Research

What is the role of theory in social research? What are the requirements for establishing causality?

4[対面/face to face]:Ethical Issues in Social Science Research

What are research ethics? What steps can researchers take to protect humans in research?

5[対面/face to face]:Hypotheses, Operationalization, and Measurement

How do researchers develop and test hypotheses? What do conceptualization and operationalization involve?

6[対面/face to face]:Reliability and Validity

What are reliability and validity? What is the basic difference between reliability and validity?

7[対面/face to face]:Review & Midterm Exam

Course review, students’ inquiries, and midterm exam

8[対面/face to face]:Sampling Strategies

What are the strengths and weaknesses of different sampling approaches? How does sampling work in variable-oriented research and case-oriented research?

9[対面/face to face]:Survey Research

What are surveys? How do researchers administer surveys? What do they ask and how do they ask it?

10[対面/face to face]:Experimental Research

What are the three key features of experiments? What are the strengths and weaknesses of different types of experiments?

11[対面/face to face]:Content Analysis

What is content analysis?

12[対面/face to face]:Writing a Research Proposal

What are the elements of a research proposal? Q&A on final paper

13[対面/face to face]:Ethnography

What is ethnography? What are the four roles that an ethnographer can adopt when doing fieldwork? How to conduct an ethnographic field study?

14[対面/face to face]:In-Depth Interviewing and Cognitive Interviews

How are an in-depth interview and a normal conversation similar, and how are they different? What are cognitive interviews?

Work to be done outside of class (preparation, etc.)

Students are expected to review the lecture slides and other course materials after each class. Preparatory study and review time for this class are 2 hours each.

Textbooks

No textbook will be used. Electronic slides will be provided by the instructor.

References

Further reference may be provided based on students’ areas of interest.

Grading criteria

Participation: 15%
In-class quizzes: 15%
Midterm exam: 30%
Final paper: 40%

Changes following student comments

Students have generally evaluated the class positively. The instructor will be attentive to student feedback and adjust workload and class material, when necessary.

Equipment student needs to prepare

None. Students are encouraged to use computers/tablets for class-related purposes in class.

Prerequisite

None.