GLCb1008 Introduction to Methodology of Social Sciences

Fakulta sociálních studií
jaro 2025
Rozsah
1/1/0. 5 kr. Ukončení: zk.
Vyučující
Mgr. et Mgr. Jiří Navrátil, Ph.D. (přednášející)
doc. Mgr. Peter Spáč, Ph.D. (přednášející)
Garance
Mgr. et Mgr. Jiří Navrátil, Ph.D.
Katedra sociologie – Fakulta sociálních studií
Kontaktní osoba: Mgr. et Mgr. Jiří Navrátil, Ph.D.
Dodavatelské pracoviště: Katedra sociologie – Fakulta sociálních studií (51,00 %), Katedra politologie – Fakulta sociálních studií (49,00 %)
Předpoklady
none
Omezení zápisu do předmětu
Předmět je určen pouze studentům mateřských oborů.

Předmět si smí zapsat nejvýše 20 stud.
Momentální stav registrace a zápisu: zapsáno: 0/20, pouze zareg.: 0/20
Mateřské obory/plány
Cíle předmětu
The course focuses on the introduction to methodology and major research methods in the social sciences, and to provide students with basics of organizing and conducting their own social science research. The goal of this course is to make students familiar with basic paradigms, concepts, issues, and techniques of research. Examples of existing research will be provided to improve understanding of methodology and specific research methods used in the social sciences. Furthermore, the course will also offer insights into research practicalities including basics of data collection and analysis.
Výstupy z učení
After completing the course, a student will be able to:
- Differentiate between various paradigms of social science research
- Understand the key differences between qualitative and quantitative logic of research
- Design and organize her/his own research
Osnova
  • 1. Introduction to Social Science Inquiry
  • Existing paradigms. Type of explanations. Basic and applied research. Qualitative vs. Quantitative approaches.
  • Babbie, E. (2014): The Practice of Social Research. Boston: Cengage Learning, pp. 5-30, 32-44.
  • 2. Theory and Social Research.
  • Elements of Social Theory. Theory construction. Role of theory in the research.
  • Punch, K. (2000): Developing Effective Research Proposals. London: SAGE, pp. 34-49.
  • Van Evera, S. (1997): Guide to Methods for Students of Political Science. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, pp. 7-40.
  • 3. Everything begins with a question.
  • How to formulate a research question. Research questions and hypotheses.
  • O’Leary, Z. (2004): The Essential Guide to Doing Research. London: SAGE, pp. 28-41.
  • Blaikie N. (2000): Designing Social Research. The Logic of Anticipation, Cambridge: Polity Press, pp. 58-84.
  • 4. Conceptualization and operationalization.
  • Conceptions and concepts. Definitions. Conceptual order.
  • Wonka, A. (2007): Concept Specification in Political Science Research. In: Gschewnd, T. - Schimmelfennig, F. (eds.): Research Design in Political Science. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 41-61.
  • Miller, B. (2007): Making Measures Capture Concepts: Tools for Securing Correspondence between Theoretical Ideas and Observations. In: Gschewnd, T. - Schimmelfennig, F. (eds.): Research Design in Political Science. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 83-102.
  • 5. Logics of reasoning I.
  • Deductive reasoning. Experiments.
  • McDermott, R. (2002): Experimental Methodology in Political Science. Political Analysis 10(4), pp. 325-342.
  • Kellstedt, P. M. - Whitten, G. D. (2013): The Fundamentals of Political Science Research. New York: Cambridge University Press, pp. 70-82.
  • 6. Logics of reasoning II.
  • Deductive reasoning. Survey Research.
  • Fowler, F. J. (2013): Survey Research Methods. London: SAGE, pp. 1-13, 61-74, 99-123.
  • 7. Reading week.
  • 8. Logics of reasoning III.
  • Small-N explanations. Case studies. Comparative method.
  • Somekh, B. Lewin, C. (eds.) (2005). Research Methods in the Social Sciences. Thousands Oaks: SAGE, pp. 33-40.
  • Ragin, C. 1987. The Comparative Method. Los Angles: University of California Press, pp. 34-52.
  • 9. Logics of reasoning IV.
  • Small-N explanations. Process tracing.
  • Della Porta, D. Meating, M. (eds.). (2008). Approaches and Methodologies in the Social Sciences. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 223-239.
  • Beach, D. Pedersen, R.B. (2013). Process-Tracing Methods. Foundations and Guidelines. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, pp. 1-22.
  • 10. Logics of reasoning V.
  • Inductive reasoning. Qualitative Field Research. Unobtrusive Research.
  • Creswell, J.W. (2007). Qualitative Inquiry & Research Design. Choosing Among Five Approaches. Thousand Oaks: SAGE, pp. 15-52.
  • 11. Sampling
  • Non-probability and probability sampling. Theory and logic of probability sampling. Population. Sampling designs.
  • O’Leary, Z. (2004): The Essential Guide to Doing Research. London: SAGE, pp. 102-112.
  • Punch, K. (2000): Developing Effective Research Proposals. London: SAGE, pp. 50-59.
  • 12. Data collection and Measurement.
  • Questionnaire. Interview. Measurement quality.
  • Bryman, A. (2012). Social Research Methods. Thousand Oaks: Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 163-182, 469-499.
  • 13. Data processing and analysis.
  • Logic of aggregation. Variables. Indexes. Typologies. Narratives.
  • Bryman, A. (2012). Social Research Methods. Thousand Oaks: Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 330-352, 565-588.
Literatura
  • see Syllabus
Výukové metody
Lectures, preparation of a project (discussed with lecturer), reading.
Metody hodnocení
In the middle of the course, students are required to submit a research problem and research question(s) with justification of their selection (up to 500 words), which they will supplement with a trial research proposal (up to 3,000 words) focusing on a selected research question at the end of the course. The project (which they should discuss with lecturers) should include all stages of research planning, e.g. aims of the research, research questions (hypotheses), theoretical background, operationalization, data sources and methods selection. Students are not required to do the actual research, e.g. collect data, analyze data or obtain results and interpret them. By preparing the project students will have to demonstrate that they understand the basic concept concerning social science research and that they are able to plan their own research project.
Vyučovací jazyk
Angličtina
Předmět je zařazen také v obdobích jaro 2023, jaro 2024.