SOCIAL RESEARCH METHODS (SOCI 3113)

Instructor: John N. AbletisRm: S611 (CA Extension Office), Main Bldg. Cellular phone number: +639214632761Consultation hours: By appointment. E-mail Address: john_abletis@yahoo.com.ph

(Please state your name and your section when texting or emailing me)

Description:This course aims to give students a comprehensive overview of the different methods and

techniques used in the social sciences, especially sociology, in gathering data. The course is divided into two major parts: research design (including paradigms and ethics in research) and methods and techniques in data gathering. Contemporary and emerging techniques are explored to give the students a grasp of the current practices in the field, while giving heavy instruction on the more conventional types of doing research (e.g. survey, ethnography and qualitative interviews).

PART 1: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL RESEARCHTopic ReadingsWhy research? “The Promise” in C. Wright Mill’s The Sociological Imagination, Chapter 1Science, Theory and Research

“Grand Theory” and “Abstracted Empiricism” in C. Wright Mill’s The Sociological Imagination, Chapters 2 and 3

“The Bearing of Sociological Theory on Empirical Research” and “The Bearing of Empirical Research on Sociological Theory” in R. Merton’s Social Theory and Social Structure, Chapters 4 and 5

“The Scientific Approach” in C. F. Nachmias & D. Nachmias’ Research Methods in the Social Sciences, 7th ed., Chapter 1

Research Paradigms “A Framework for Design” in J. W. Creswell’s Research Design, 2nd ed., Chapter 1 “A Framework for the Study” in J. W. Creswell’s Research Design, Chapter 1 “Paradigmatic Controversies, Contradiction, and Emerging Confluences,

Revisited” by Lincoln, Lynham, and Guba. In Denzin, N. K. & Y. S. Lincoln’s The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research, 4th ed., Chapter 6

Research Problem and the Review of Related Literature

“The Introduction” and “Review of the Literature” in J. W. Creswell’s Research Design, 2nd ed., Chapters 1 and 2

Sociological Theories and Research Paradigms

“The Use of Theory” in J. W. Creswell’s Research Design, 2nd ed., Chapter 7 “Paradigms, Theory, and Social Research” in E. Babbie’s The Practice of Social

Research (any edition of his book). See also this: https://www.cengagebrain.co.nz/content/9781133794882.pdf

Review of any book in Theoretical Sociology (G. Ritzer, R. Collins, R. Wallace, J. Turner etc.)

Research Problem, Purpose Statement, Research Questions, Hypotheses, and Objectives

“The Purpose Statement” and “Research Questions and Hypotheses” in J. W. Creswell’s Research Design, 2nd ed., Chapters 5 and 6

Ethics in Research “Ethics in Feminist Research” by N. P. Canilao. In S. H. Guerrero’s Gender-Sensitive & Feminist Methodologies: A Handbook for Health and Social Researchers, Chapter 3

“Writing Strategies and Ethical Considerations” in J. W. Creswell’s Research Design, 2nd ed., Chapter 3

Jan 8 SUBMISSION OF PRELIMINARY RESEARCH PROPOSAL (Chapters 1 & 2)Jan 8 MIDTERM EXAMINATION

PART 2: SOCIAL RESEARCH METHODS AND TECHNIQUESTopic Readings

Jan 11 Sampling “Sampling and Sample Designs” in C. F. Nachmias & D. Nachmias’ Research

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Republic of the PhilippinesPolytechnic University of the PhilippinesCollege of Social Sciences and DevelopmentDepartment of Sociology and Anthropology2ndth flr CA Office. Mabini Campus, Sta. Mesa, Manila

Methods in the Social Sciences, 7th ed., Chapter 8 “Designing and Selective Samples” by J. Ritchie, J. Lewis, & G. Elam. In J.

Ritchie & J. Lewis’ Qualitative Research Practice, Chapter 4Jan 15 Survey Research “Survey Research” in C. F. Nachmias & D. Nachmias’ Research Methods in the

Social Sciences, 7th ed., Chapter 10Jan 18 Questionnaire Construction “Questionnaire Construction” in C. F. Nachmias & D. Nachmias’ Research

Methods in the Social Sciences, 7th ed., Chapter 11Jan 22 Designing Fieldwork

Strategies and Materials “Designing Fieldwork Strategies and Materials” by S. Arthur & J. Nazroo. In J.

Ritchie & J. Lewis’ Qualitative Research Practice, Chapter 5Jan 25 Ethnography “Feminist Ethnography” by C. I. Sobritchea. In S. H. Guerrero’s Gender-Sensitive

& Feminist Methodologies: A Handbook for Health and Social Researchers, Chapter 12

“Observation and Participant Observation for Feminist Research” by C. I. Sobritchea. In S. H. Guerrero’s Gender-Sensitive & Feminist Methodologies: A Handbook for Health and Social Researchers, Chapter 14

Jan 29—Feb 5

In-depth Interviews Qualitative Interviewing: The Art of Hearing Data by H. J. Rubin & I. S. Rubin (Whole book. All are required to read this.)

Feb 8 Life Story “Pagbabahagi ng Kuwentong Buhay: Isang Panimulang Pagtingin” by C. C. Aquino. In S. H. Guerrero’s Gender-Sensitive & Feminist Methodologies: A Handbook for Health and Social Researchers, Chapter 5

“Narrative Inquiry: Still a Field in the Making” by S. E. Chase. In Denzin, N. K. & Y. S. Lincoln’s The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research, 4th ed., Chapter 25

Feb 12 Focus Group Discussion “Focus Groups” by H. Finch & J. Lewis. . In J. Ritchie & J. Lewis’ Qualitative Research Practice, Chapter 7

“The Focus Group Discussion” by M. F. A. Templa. In S. H. Guerrero’s Gender-Sensitive & Feminist Methodologies: A Handbook for Health and Social Researchers, Chapter 15

Feb 15 DEADLINE: SUBMISSION OF LETTER TO YOUR PROSPECTIVE RESEARCH ADVISERFeb 15 Case Study “Case Study” by B. Flyvbjerg. In Denzin, N. K. & Y. S. Lincoln’s The Sage

Handbook of Qualitative Research, 4th ed., Chapter 17Feb 19 Oral History “Oral History” by L. Shopes. In Denzin, N. K. & Y. S. Lincoln’s The Sage Handbook

of Qualitative Research, 4th ed., Chapter 27Feb 22 Critical Arts-Based Inquiry “Critical Arts-Based Inquiry: The Pedagogy and Performance of a Radical

Ethical Aesthetic” by S. Finley. In Denzin, N. K. & Y. S. Lincoln’s The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research, 4th ed., Chapter 26

Feb 26 Visual Methodology “Visual Methodology: Toward a More Seeing Research” by J. Prosser. In Denzin, N. K. & Y. S. Lincoln’s The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research, 4th ed., Chapter 29

Mar 1 Online Ethnography “The Methods, Politics, and Ethics of Representation in Online Ethnography” by S. N. Gatson. In Denzin, N. K. & Y. S. Lincoln’s The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research, 4th ed., Chapter 31

Mar 5 Talk and Text “Analyzing Talk and Text” by A. Perakyla & J. Ruusuvuori. In Denzin, N. K. & Y. S. Lincoln’s The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research, 4th ed., Chapter 32

“Textual Analysis” by T. B. Kintanar. In S. H. Guerrero’s Gender-Sensitive & Feminist Methodologies: A Handbook for Health and Social Researchers, Chapter 17

“Discourse Analysis” by S. E. Claudio. In S. H. Guerrero’s Gender-Sensitive & Feminist Methodologies: A Handbook for Health and Social Researchers, Chapter 18

Mar 8 Creative and Projective Techniques

“The Drama-Forum: Generative Data for Policy Formulation” by M. F. A. Templa. In S. H. Guerrero’s Gender-Sensitive & Feminist Methodologies: A Handbook for Health and Social Researchers, Chapter 16.1

“The Community Theatre as Alternative Medium” by L. J. Canson. In S. H. Guerrero’s Gender-Sensitive & Feminist Methodologies: A Handbook for Health and Social Researchers, Chapter 16.1

Mar 12 Secondary Data Analysis “Secondary Data Analysis and Sources” in C. F. Nachmias & D. Nachmias’ Research Methods in the Social Sciences, 7th ed., Chapter 13

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Apr 2 SUBMISSION OF FINALRESEARCH PROPOSAL (Chapters 1, 2 & 3)

Criteria for grading:

Preliminary Research Proposal 20%Final Research Proposal 30%Group Report 20%Midterm Exam 30%

Total: 100%

References:Babbie, E. (1995). The Practice of Social Research, 7th ed., CA: Wadsworth Publishing Creswell, J. W. (2003). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches, 2nd

ed., Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. Creswell, J. W. (1994). Research Design: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, Thousand Oaks, CA:

Sage Publications, Inc. Denzin, N. K. & Y.S. Lincoln (Eds.)(2011). The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research, 4th ed., Thousand

Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. Frankfort-Nachmias, C. & D. Nachmias (2008). Research Methods in the Social Sciences, 7th ed., NY:

Worth PublishersGuerrero, S. H. (Ed.) (1999). Gender-Sensitive & Feminist Methodologies: A Handbook for Health and

Social Researchers, Quezon City: University Center for Women’s Studies and The University of the Philippines

Merton, R. K. (1968). Social Theory and Social Structure, 1968 enlarged edition, NY: The Free PressMills, C. W. (1959). The Sociological Imagination, NY: Oxford University PressRitchie, J. & J. Lewis (Eds)(2003). Qualitative Research Practice: A Guide for Social Science Students and

Researchers, London: Sage Publications, Inc. Rubin, H. J. & I. S. Rubin (2005). Qualitative Interviewing: The Art of Hearing Data, 2nd ed., Thousand

Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.

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