

COURSE SYLLABUS
SCOPE OF COURSE SYLLABUS
Intended for students enrolling in Research Methodology in Social Sciences, this syllabus contains information specific to the course. It is a definitive record of the course's primary characteristics and the learning outcomes a typical student can reasonably achieve if they take full advantage of the available learning opportunities. This document also serves as a reference for academic and support staff, internal and external examiners, and for future course monitoring and review.
COURSE AT A GLANCE
Course Title
Research Methodology in Social Sciences
Subject Area
Research Methodology
Course Code
RESM 50011
Course Level
Graduate
Credits
4.0
Prerequisites
None
Methods of Delivery
Face-to-face
Online
Expected Length
5.0 Weeks
Class Meetings
Dependent on the choice made during enrollment
Faculty
Nicholas Bishop
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Computer Software: Any computer software that aids learning.
TEXT(S)
Text 1: PSR
Title: The Practice of Social Research
Author(s): Earl R. Babbie
Year Published: 2021
ISBN: 9780357360767
SYNOPSIS
This course is designed as an advanced course in sociological research methodology to provide insight into the process, logic, and skills of social science research inquiry. The range of research designs, their strengths and weaknesses, the specific research tools needed for collecting sociological data, and various analytical techniques are examined with an emphasis on project-based learning.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:
Demonstrate the comprehension of major concepts and methodological techniques.
Demonstrate the comprehension of using the library databases to gain access to peer-reviewed literature.
Demonstrate their comprehension of citing peer-reviewed literature according to APA format.
Synthesize peer-reviewed literature by writing a literature review.
Demonstrate their ability to critique the literature.
Demonstrate the ability to assess and evaluate the merits of particular methodological techniques.
Understand ethical issues when collecting sociological data.
Apply social scientific logic, reasoning, and theorizing.
Design a research project.
Understand how research can lead to fascinating and impactful careers.
WEEK 1
Module 1
The Nature and Process of Social Research
Reference(s): PSR Ch1-3 and Ch17
Module 2
The Structuring of Inquiry: Quantitative and Qualitative I
Reference(s): PSR Ch4-5
Module 3
The Structuring of Inquiry: Quantitative and Qualitative II
Reference(s): PSR Ch6-7
Research Practice Session 1
Prepare the work schedule with an advisor.
Discuss research topics and data.
Initiate the research ethics application.
WEEK 2
Module 4
Experiments
Reference(s): PSR Ch8
Module 5
Survey Research
Reference(s): PSR Ch9
Module 6
Qualitative Field Research
Reference(s): PSR Ch10
Research Practice Session 2
Conduct a literature review.
WEEK 3
Module 7
Unobtrusive Research
Reference(s): PSR Ch11
Module 8
Evaluation Research
Reference(s): PSR Ch12
Module 9
Social Statistics
Reference(s): PSR Ch16
Research Practice Session 3
Initiate the research design.
WEEK 4
Module 7
Qualitative Data Analysis
Reference(s): PSR Ch13
Module 8
Quantitative Data Analysis
Reference(s): PSR Ch14
Module 9
The Logic of Multivariate Analysis
Reference(s): PSR Ch15
Research Practice Session 4
Initiate the research proposal.
WEEK 5
Research Practice Session 5-8
Finalize and review the research proposal.
PROFESSIONALISM
WEIGHT: 10.0%
DEADLINE: Sunday at 23:59 (GMT+0) of Week 6
All students must participate actively in discussions, class exercises, activities, simulations, and group work. Regular attendance, preparation, and participation in class discussions (online and in discussion forums) are required. Good attendance results in more opportunities to engage in quality participation and earn a higher participation grade.
Class participation and discussion indicate that students have read the assigned readings. Grades will not be based on the number of posts submitted or comments made in a class but on the overall contribution to the discussion. Students are encouraged to exchange contact information and support one another if a class is missed. They must contact the course instructor if concerned about attendance or need additional information on any assignment. If a student cannot attend three or more classes, they may be asked to complete additional assignments to complete a course.
END-OF-BLOCK QUIZ
WEIGHT: 20.0%
DEADLINE: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 1-4
General Information
Each week from Week 1 to Week 4, students must complete one graded quiz with twenty (20) multiple-choice questions. These assessments aim to determine the level of comprehension and mastery of each week's material. The deadline to submit this assessment is always on Sunday at 23:59 (GMT+0) from Week 1 to Week 4. Quiz assignments are graded by computer, and the grade is stored in the online grade book. Only one 40-minute attempt per quiz is allowed.
END-OF-BLOCK QUIZ 1
Weight: 5.0%
Deadline: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 1
END-OF-BLOCK QUIZ 2
Weight: 5.0%
Deadline: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 2
END-OF-BLOCK QUIZ 3
Weight: 5.0%
Deadline: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 3
END-OF-BLOCK QUIZ 4
Weight: 5.0%
Deadline: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 4
LITERATURE REVIEW
WEIGHT: 20.0%
DEADLINE: Sunday at 23:59 (GMT+0) of Week 4
This must be four pages (approximately one thousand words), not including references, title page, and appendix. This assessment aims to prepare students for the Master's Research Project. The deadline to submit this assessment is always on Sunday at 23:59 (GMT+0) of Week 3. The grade is stored in the online grade book. As only one attempt per piece of coursework is allowed, it is highly recommended that students review all course materials and complete some test preparation tasks before attempting the graded assessment.
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
WEIGHT: 50.0%
DEADLINE: Sunday at 23:59 (GMT+0) of Week 6
General Information
This must be eight pages (approximately two thousand words), not including references, title page, and appendix. This assessment aims to prepare students for the Master's Research Project. The deadline to submit this assessment is always on Sunday at 23:59 (GMT+0) of Week 5. The grade is stored in the online grade book. As only one attempt per piece of coursework is allowed, it is highly recommended that students review all course materials and complete some test preparation tasks before attempting the graded assessment.
PARTICIPATION POLICY
Please be sure to review the following important information about the University Policies and Procedures.
All students must participate in all classroom activities, attend classes regularly, and prepare before classes for classroom activities that require advance preparation. Students need to fully appreciate that good attendance results in more opportunities to engage in quality participation, which, in turn, results in a more thorough acquisition of subject knowledge and higher participation grades.
Participation in classroom discussions indicates that students have read the assigned readings. Grades will not be based on the number of posts submitted or comments made in the classroom but on the overall quality of contributions to discussions.
If a student is unable to attend 3 or more classes, he/she may be asked to complete additional assignments to complete the course.
Mode of Attendance
For the portion of the course that takes place over Microsoft Teams:
Students are required to arrive on time and engage appropriately with their fellow students, their teacher(s) and course materials. They must attend with a functional web camera and microphone, have the latest version of Microsoft Teams installed on their computers, avoid attending via a mobile phone or web browser, and have all necessary materials to hand. Also, their cameras must be always switched on, except for occasions when privacy becomes a necessity. In addition, they must be appropriately attired, attend in an environment that will not distract them, their fellow students or their teacher(s), especially avoiding attending while in a vehicle, whether moving or stationary.
For the on-campus portion of the course:
The mandatory on-campus session meets as per the AUS Campus schedule. Good attendance is required to earn credits and pass the course. Students cannot arrive late or leave early. Students traveling from afar must plan accordingly, giving themselves plenty of time to arrive by the start of class. No exceptions can be granted.
Classroom Expectations
Classes start and end on time, with late entry or reentry allowed only under exceptional circumstances. All phones and electronic devices must be turned off.
GRADING
The expectation is that students read assigned materials prior to class. Class discussions are based on their reading of these materials and their reflections on what they have learned and how these relate to their experiences. Assignments are intended to encourage students’ exploration, reflection on and synthesis of assigned topics and course discussions.
Assessments are listed in the course syllabus and are due by the stipulated deadlines.
No assessment will be accepted after the day following the day it is due. If an assessment submission is one day late late, it will receive an automatic reduction in grade of one letter, for example, from an A to a B. After that, no late work will be accepted, and the student will receive an F grade for the assessment.
Submission of late papers must be approved in advance. Late final papers will not be accepted.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY
Students are responsible for understanding the University Policies and how to use sources responsibly. Violations of academic integrity are taken very seriously. Students are asked to visit the course RESM 50011: Fundamentals of Graduate Research Reading and Writing to review important information on academic citation and referencing rules.
ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES POLICY
The University is committed to providing an accessible academic community. The Disability Services (DS) is responsible for providing accommodations to students with disabilities. Students must request accommodations or adjustments through the DS. Instructors cannot grant accommodation requests without prior DS approval. It is imperative to be in touch with the DSS as soon as possible to avoid delays in the provision of an accommodation.
The University takes student privacy seriously. Any medical documentation should be provided directly to the DS if a substantial accommodation is required. If a student misses any classes due to a short-term illness, he/she should notify his/her instructor but to avoid the inclusion of a doctor's note. Course staff will not request, accept, or review doctor's notes or other medical documentation. For more information, email DS@TheAUS.us
PUBLISHING OR DISTRIBUTING COURSE MATERIALS POLICY
Students may not post, publish, sell, or otherwise publicly distribute course materials without the written permission of the course instructor. Such materials include, but are not limited to, the following: lecture notes, lecture slides, video, or audio recordings, assignments, problem sets, examinations, other students’ work, and answer keys. Students who sell, post, publish, or distribute course materials without written permission, whether for the purposes of soliciting answers or otherwise, may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including a requirement to withdraw. Furthermore, students may not make video or audio recordings of class sessions for their own use without written permission from the instructor.
ETHICS AND USE OF PRIOR MATERIALS
It is never appropriate to use materials prepared for previous courses by students or faculty. Students should not use previously completed case write-ups, or summaries of readings.
WEEKLY CLASS MEETING SCHEDULE
Additional information can be found on the course website.
Please note: the syllabus may be modified prior to and during a course, including updates to assignments and additional material.