Research Methods in Social Science (6cr)

Objective

The student:
- knows the research approaches and methods applied in social science research and their characteristics.
- is able to assess the suitability of research approaches and methods for different research topics.
- is able to define the research task and formulate research questions appropriately.
- is able to explain the overall research process and its nature in qualitative and quantitative research approaches and in the context of research-based development, and is able to define the key concepts related to each stage of the research process.
- knows how to use the most important qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods and research tools.
- knows how to plan the process of research-based development and apply an investigative approach to the implementation of development work.

Content

- The most common research approaches and methods used in social sciences
- Defining the research task and research questions
- Research process in qualitative and quantitative research approaches
- Qualitative and quantitative data: surveys, interviews, observation, participatory data collection methods, written documents
- Literature review
- Qualitative and quantitative data analysis methods
- Quantitative tools: Webropol, SPSS statistical software
- Research-based development and its methods: the phases of development process, multi-methodology, and documentation of research-based development.
- Ensuring the reliability and ethics of research in qualitative and quantitative studies

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student is able to define the features of qualitative and quantitative research approaches and exploratory development work, but the definition is limited. The student is able to apply qualitative and quantitative research methods, data collection and analysis methods in their tasks, but the application is limited and the tasks may contain some errors.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student is able to describe the key features of qualitative and quantitative research approaches and research based development processes. The student is able to structure the research processes and characteristics of these different research methodological approaches at a good level.
The student is able to apply different qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis in their work. The student is able to assess the suitability of these methods and approaches for different research subjects and topics and is able to use these methods in their work.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student has an excellent understanding of qualitative and quantitative research approaches and the key features of research-based development.
The student is able to describe the features of qualitative and quantitative research methods and research- based development in a versatile manner. They demonstrate the ability to apply the methods of collecting and analyzing research data included in each research approach extensively and are able to apply them thoughtfully and skillfully in their own work. The student is able to identify research topics that are relevant and appropriate for their own professional field and is able to compare the suitability of qualitative, quantitative, and action research methods and approaches for different research topics. The student is able to skillfully use qualitative, quantitative, and action research tools in their work.