The Course This course is concerned with the logic and practice of research design and larger philosophical issues of conducting empirical research in the social sciences. The intent of the course is to enable students to become critical readers of published research, to understand the relationship between theory and research, to develop skills in formulating and articulating answerable research questions and develop appropriate empirical procedures to answer them, and to become prepared for more advanced courses in research methods.
Students prepare a research proposal as a final project.
3 hours credit. Offered each Fall semester. This course or its equivalent is required of all Sociology M.S. and Ph.D. degree candidates. For information on how to do library research effectively, see the library's 7 steps to library research and information skills modules. If you are having trouble writing well in your assignments for this class, I encourage you to seek assistance from the Writing Center.