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CSS331Social Sciences3 Unitsintermediate

Methods Of Social Research

This course introduces students of Social Sciences to the rudiments of Scientific Research, its techniques, and processes. It covers concepts of Social Research, basic principles, and their application. Topics include formulation of social problems, research perspectives, basic concepts, research planning, designs, qualitative and quantitative techniques, measurement, sampling, research applications, and ethics. Students will learn about documentation, footnotes, endnotes, bibliography, and abbreviations.

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150h
Study Time
13
Weeks
12h
Per Week
basic
Math Level
Course Keywords
Social ResearchResearch MethodsQuantitative ResearchQualitative ResearchSampling Techniques

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
➕
Math Level
Basic Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Social Research

2

Sampling Techniques

3

Research Design

4

Data Collection

5

Data Analysis

6

Research Ethics

Total Topics6 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Social Researcher

Apply your skills in this growing field

Policy Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Market Research Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Data Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Research Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

GovernmentNon-profitMarket ResearchConsultingAcademia

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1:

4h

Unit 1: Introduction to Social Research

4 study hours
  • •Understand the meaning of social research.
  • •Explore the historical background of social research.
  • •Identify pioneers of social research methods.
Week
2

Module 1:

4h

Unit 2: Foundation of Social Research

4 study hours
  • •Understand the meaning of logic, hypothesis, law, theory, concept, and model.
  • •Differentiate between deductive and inductive reasoning.
  • •Apply these concepts in social research.
Week
3

Module 1:

4h

Unit 3: Processes of Social Research

4 study hours
  • •Discuss the process of carrying out social research.
  • •Learn how to choose a topic and formulate research problems.
  • •Understand how data can be collected, organized, and analyzed.
Week
4

Module 1:

4h

Unit 4: Social Research Strategies and Types

4 study hours
  • •Identify the variety of social research types.
  • •Understand the components of social research types.
  • •Explain the strengths and limitations of different types of social research.
Week
5

Module 1:

4h

Unit 5: Social Research Design: Component and Varieties

4 study hours
  • •Know what research design is.
  • •Explain the importance of research design in social research.
  • •Differentiate between experimental designs and quasi-experimental designs.
Week
6

Module 2:

4h

Unit 1: Sampling and Sampling Techniques

4 study hours
  • •Explain what sampling is.
  • •Describe steps in the sampling process.
  • •Explain sampling functions.
  • •Define the population and describe sampling bias.
Week
7

Module 2:

8h

Unit 2: Types of sampling 1

4 study hours
  • •Define a probability sample.
  • •Describe types of probability samples such as simple random sampling.
  • •Describe stratified sampling, systematic sampling, and cluster sampling.

Unit 3: Types of Sampling II

4 study hours
  • •Explain what is Non-Probability Sampling
  • •Describe the types of Non-Probability Samples such as Quota, Accidental and Purposive Sampling.
Week
8

Module 2:

4h

Unit 4: Validity and Reliability

4 study hours
  • •Define validity and explain the types of validity.
  • •Define reliability and explain the types of reliability.
Week
9

Module 2:

4h

Unit 5: Hypothesis

4 study hours
  • •Know what an hypothesis is.
  • •Define an hypothesis.
  • •Examine the purposes of well-formulated hypotheses.
  • •Identify the types of hypotheses.
Week
10

Module 3:

4h

Unit 1: Formulating Research Question

4 study hours
  • •Define what a research question is.
  • •Describe the process of formulating research questions.
  • •Know the sources of research ideas.
  • •List and explain the characteristics of good research questions.
Week
11

Module 3:

4h

Unit 2: Nature of Qualitative Research

4 study hours
  • •Know the meaning of Qualitative Research.
  • •Describe the importance and characteristics of a good Qualitative Research.
  • •Understand the various types of Qualitative Research method.
Week
12

Module 3:

4h

Unit 3: Nature of Quantitative Research

4 study hours
  • •Define and explain what Quantitative Research is.
  • •Describe the importance and characteristics of a good Quantitative Research.
  • •Know the various types of Quantitative Research method.
Week
13

Module 5:

8h

Unit 1: Measurement

4 study hours
  • •Understand the meaning and importance of Measurement in Social Research
  • •Differentiate between variables and attributes
  • •Know what measurement to apply to specific research types

Unit 2: Level of Measurement

4 study hours
  • •Know what level of measurement to use for your research based on the values assigned to your data
  • •Decide which level would be appropriate for your data
  • •Know which statistical tool and analysis would be appropriate for your data

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Review key concepts from each unit weekly.

2

Practice applying different sampling techniques.

3

Create a research design for a hypothetical study.

4

Analyze sample data sets using statistical software.

5

Study ethical guidelines for research.

6

Focus on understanding the research process from start to finish.

7

Practice writing clear and concise research reports.

8

Create concept maps linking Units 3-5 research design concepts

9

Review all TMAs and their solutions

10

Allocate specific time slots for focused study each day

11

Prioritize key topics: sampling, data analysis, ethics

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