LD 5341 Social Science Research
Design & Methods

(3 semester hours)
By the end of the course the student will be able to apply the basic principles of the scientific method to the design of a research project, formulate an adequate research question, identify the variables related to research questions and provide operational definitions of those variables, develop testable hypotheses related to the research question, identify valid and reliable data gathering instruments and methods, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the established methods, demonstrate an ability to use the recognized data gathering methods (both quantitative and qualitative) in an appropriate manner, demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles of data handling by transcription, coding, databasing, demonstrate an ability to analyze data of various sorts in an appropriate way, through the use of the basic principles of statistical analysis and the fundamental statistical techniques most commonly used by social science researchers. The student will demonstrate an ability to write a research report which documents clearly the principle elements of the research project including the research question, the variables, the hypotheses, the data collection methods used, an analysis (statistical or otherwise) of the data, conclusions, and areas for further research.

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