Methods Of Social Research
- Social Sciences
- 300 level
- 3 credit units
- 173 pages
- 23 units
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.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 150 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of CSS331, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
CSS331 · UNIT 1 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL RESEARCH
The exercise of individual freedom to choose a part of social phenomena for analyses should be of interest to his/her personal values, since what is of personal interest often time constitute the driving force behind the search for knowledge. However, this is normally circumscribed by the strict demands of scientific objectivity.
What you should be able to do
- Define social research and its processes
- Apply sampling techniques in research
- Design a research project
- Collect and analyze data
- Write a research report
- Understand ethical considerations in research
What it prepares you for
- Social Researcher
- Policy Analyst
- Market Research Analyst
- Data Analyst
- Research Consultant
- Government
- Non-profit
- Market Research
- Consulting
- Academia
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 5:
Unit 3: Accuracy and Errors of Measurement
Accuracy and Errors of Measurement requires understanding of statistical concepts and potential sources of bias, demanding careful attention to detail.
- Module 1:
Unit 5: Social Research Design: Component and Varieties
Social Research Design requires understanding of different research designs and their components, which can be challenging for beginners.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 60 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1:
Unit 1: Introduction to Social Research · 4 hours
Understand the meaning of social research.. Explore the historical background of social research.. Identify pioneers of social research methods..
- Week 2Module 1:
Unit 2: Foundation of Social Research · 4 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 3Module 1:
Unit 3: Processes of Social Research · 4 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 4Module 1:
Unit 4: Social Research Strategies and Types · 4 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 5Module 1:
Unit 5: Social Research Design: Component and Varieties · 4 hours
Know what research design is.. Explain the importance of research design in social research.. Differentiate between experimental designs and quasi-experimental designs..
- Week 6Module 2:
Unit 1: Sampling and Sampling Techniques · 4 hours
Explain what sampling is.. Describe steps in the sampling process.. Explain sampling functions.. Define the population and describe sampling bias..
- Week 7Module 2:
Unit 2: Types of sampling 1 · 4 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 hours
Explain what is Non-Probability Sampling. Describe the types of Non-Probability Samples such as Quota, Accidental and Purposive Sampling..
- Week 8Module 2:
Unit 4: Validity and Reliability · 4 hours
Define validity and explain the types of validity.. Define reliability and explain the types of reliability..
- Week 9Module 2:
Unit 5: Hypothesis · 4 hours
Know what an hypothesis is.. Define an hypothesis.. Examine the purposes of well-formulated hypotheses.. Identify the types of hypotheses..
- Week 10Module 3:
Unit 1: Formulating Research Question · 4 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 11Module 3:
Unit 2: Nature of Qualitative Research · 4 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 12Module 3:
Unit 3: Nature of Quantitative Research · 4 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 13Module 5:
Unit 1: Measurement · 4 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 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.
Preparing for the exam
- Review key concepts from each unit weekly.
- Practice applying different sampling techniques.
- Create a research design for a hypothetical study.
- Analyze sample data sets using statistical software.
- Study ethical guidelines for research.
- Focus on understanding the research process from start to finish.
- Practice writing clear and concise research reports.
- Create concept maps linking Units 3-5 research design concepts
- Review all TMAs and their solutions
- Allocate specific time slots for focused study each day
- Prioritize key topics: sampling, data analysis, ethics
Questions students ask about this course
What is CSS331 about?
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.
How many units does CSS331 have?
CSS331, Methods Of Social Research, has 23 units across 6 modules, over 173 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is CSS331?
CSS331 carries 3 credit units, at 300 level in Social Sciences.
Is CSS331 hard?
CSS331 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does CSS331 take to study?
About 150 hours of study, spread across its 23 units.
How is CSS331 assessed?
CSS331 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with CSS331?
Social Researcher, Policy Analyst, Market Research Analyst, Data Analyst and Research Consultant.