PMCb1005 Basics in social research methodology

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2024
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 7 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Martina Novotná, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Mgr. Peter Spáč, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Peter Spáč, Ph.D.
Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: doc. Mgr. et Mgr. Vlastimil Havlík, Ph.D.
Timetable
Mon 14:00–15:40 P21b
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course provides the basic insight into scientific research and methodology. The aim of the course is to introduce the students to key terminology of the field and to all necessary features of research planning. The course starts with introducing the theory of research and scientific literature. The next part is devoted to research design and finally the course concentrates on selected methods and techniques of data collection and data analysis.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will gain knowledge of the basic terminology of research methodology and they will understand the main principles of methods in social sciences. They will further be able to apply this knowledge in planning and organizing their own research projects. More particularly, students will know how to choose a proper research aim, formulate research questions and hypotheses, do operationalization, find necessary data sources and select the appropriate method to realize the research objectives. Overall, the course will provide them with introductory knowledge of research methodology and thus allow them to continue to further improve their skills in more advanced courses concerning methodology and research activities.
Syllabus
  • 1. Role of Science and Scientific Research
  • 2. Logic of Research
  • 3. Research Design
  • 4. Quantitative Research
  • 5. Experiments and Experimental Designs
  • 6. Midterm test 1
  • 7. The role of theory in media research and systematic review study
  • 8. Qualitative Research
  • 9. Qualitative Techniques
  • 10. Analysis of content – Qualitative and Quantitative
  • 11. Online Research and Research Ethics
  • 12. Midterm test 2
Literature
    required literature
  • Bryman, A. 2012. Social Research Methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Chap.  2.: Social Research Strategies, pp. 18-43.
  • Punch, K. (2000): Developing Effective Research Proposals. London: SAGE, pp. 34-59
  • Rosenberg, A.. 2008. „What is the philosophy of social science?“, pp. 1–30, a „The explanation of human action“, pp. 31–64 in Philosophy of Social Science. Boulder: Westview Press
  • Blaikie N. (2000): Designing Social Research. The Logic of Anticipation, Cambridge: Polity Press, pp. 58-84.
  • Neuendorf, K. A. (2002): The content analysis guidebook. London: SAGE. Chap. 2.: Milestones in the history of the content analysis, p. 1-26.
  • Creswell, J.W. and Poth, C.N.. 2016. Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches. Thousand Oaks – London – New Delhi: SAGE Publications, pp. 35-51.
  • Kellstedt,  P. M. - Whitten, G. D. (2013): The Fundamentals of Political Science Research. New York: Cambridge University Press, pp. 3-20, 143-160.
  • BABBIE, Earl R. The practice of social research. Fourteenth edition. Boston: Cengage Learning, 2016, p. 5-30, 60-72, 450-470. ISBN 9781305104945
    recommended literature
  • Riffe, D. – Lacy, S. – Fico, F.G. (2005): Analyzing Media Messages. Using Quantitative Content Analysis in Research. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers: New Jersey. Chap. 1: Introduction, str. 4-9. Chap. 3: Designing a Content Analysis, str. 40-62. C
Teaching methods
Lectures, class discussion, individual projects.
Assessment methods
During the course, students will write a research project on a selected topic (60 %). Students will choose from a set of offered topics and they will write a research proposal (up to 1,500 words). The project will include all parts of research planning, e.g. research aims, research questions (hypotheses), operationalization, selection of data and methods. The students will also write two written examination (2 * 20 %). The first examination will take place after the first half of the course, the second examination will be held in the end of the course. To pass the course, students need to obtain at least 60 % of all the points.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2023, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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