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www.mathieudeflem.net
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XCourse
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| COURSE
OBJECTIVES |
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graduate-level seminar that introduces students into the principles of research
design in sociology. Focusing on the logic of research, this seminar deals with
various epistemological and methodological issues that sociologists are
confronted with in the course of their research, irrespective of the specific
theoretical perspectives and the various methods of observation and analysis
they are employing in different fields of sociological study. These issues are
introduced with particular attention to the characteristics of sociology as a
scientific activity and in view of the special connection that exists between
theory and research. This course, therefore, is not a course on the techniques
of sociological methods of observation and analysis, but on the logic of
research.
Within the specified frame,
attention goes to a selection of principles of research design (such as
measurement, operationalization, sampling, and causal logic); the logic of
selected methods of data collection (including survey research, ethnography,
experiments, evaluation research, and comparative-historical methods); and
aspects of proposing and publishing research. Based on the participants’
specific interests, students are encouraged to explore relevant epistemological
and methodological matters mentioned in this course in a more in-depth manner by
taking other courses and/or through self-study and exploration of the
literature. You can always consult the instructor for guidance.
This course
is designed for all graduate students in sociology, not just for those who
happen to be or want to become experts in epistemology or methodology. We will
therefore address, when applicable, elements of various theoretical perspectives
and substantive interests that the students are interested in. Participants in
this seminar must be graduate students in the Sociology program. Students from
another scientific discipline need my explicit permission to take this course.
Upon successful completion of
this seminar, students should be able to 1) critically analyze sociological
research from the viewpoint of the principles of research design in sociology as
a scientific and theoretically driven activity; and 2) develop a proposal for an
original sociological research that abides by the standards of scientific
analysis.
The syllabus is handed out in
class.
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Professor
Mathieu Deflem
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 XCourse
Outline |
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| TOPICS |
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Part I – Sociology, Theory, Research
a) What Is Science?
b) From Theory to
Research
c) The Value and Ethics
of Research
d) The Organization of
Sociology
Part II – Principles of Research
Design
a) The Basics of
Research Design
b) Conceptualization,
Operationalization, Measurement
c) Causal Modeling
d) Sampling Procedures
e) Data Analysis
Part III – The Logic of
Observation
a)
Survey Research
b)
Ethnographic Research
c)
Experimental Research
d)
Evaluation Research
e)
Comparative-Historical Research
Part IV – Getting
Your Research Done and Out
a) Writing
a Research Proposal
b)
Publishing Your Research |
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Professor
Mathieu Deflem
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XCourse
Outline |
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| REQUIRED READINGS |
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The required readings for this
course involve two books and a few additional chapters. The Babbie book is our
key text and provides the basic structure of the lectures. I will also place
some recommended resources on the course webpage throughout the semester. You
can buy the required books wherever you want.
Babbie, Earl. 2009. The
Practice of Social Research. 12th edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth
Publishing. Any edition of this book published after 2001 is fine.
Woolgar,
Steve. 1988. “What Is Science?” From his Science: The Very Idea. New
York: Tavistock. Xerox from the instructor.
Babbie,
Earl. 1986. “An Introduction Into Inquiry.” From his Observing Ourselves.
Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing. Xerox from the instructor.
Davis,
James A. 1985. “Using the Logic.” From his The Logic of Causal Order.
Newbury Park, CA: Sage. Xerox from the instructor.
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Professor
Mathieu Deflem
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XCourse
Outline |
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| RESOURCES |
Preparing
a Research Proposal
National
Science Foundation website,
including the Sociology
Program.
Check
the Grant Proposal Guide,
includes the Sections
of the Proposal:
1. Cover sheet
2. Project Summary
3. Table of Contents
4. Project Description (= research proposal)
5. References Cited
6. Biographical Sketch
7. Budget
NSF
Proposal Submission via Fastlane
& internally via USCERA.
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