The course aims to provide basic knowledge on the methodology of social research, with particular attention to techniques used in the analysis of political phenomena. In order to achieve the teaching objectives, the course is divided into two main sections.

1) The first unit will be devoted to theoretical issues and social research techniques. For this unit see the course programme of Methodology of social and political research I held by prof. Luigino Ceccarini

2) The second unit will focus on survey research and quantitative data analysis procedures. Students, through the use of workshops and the computer lab, will be able to familiarize with survey design and with some statistical package for data analysis, using data-sets from real socio-political research activities.

The programme will focus on the following points:

• survey research: types of questionnaire administration;
• scaling;
• sampling;
• official statistics;
• data analysis:
  • the data-matrix;
  • working with variables;
  • elements of univariate statistical analysis;
  • elements of bivariate statistical analysis.

- Knowledge and understanding: at the end of the course students must have acquired the knowledge of the basic theoretical elements, concepts and main techinques of social and political research methodology. Educational methods used to reach these goals: frontal lectures, workshop, lab sessions, seminars with scholars and experts, class discussions.

- Applying knowledge and understanding: students must be able to identify and apply appropriately, to real research and analysis situations, concepts, models and techniques presented throughout the course. In particular, they must be able to apply the acquired knowledge to the analysis of the transformation of politics and political behaviour.  Educational methods used to reach these goals: frontal lectures, seminars with scholars and experts, class discussions; workshop and team-working, lab sessions.

- Making judgements: students will strengthen their ability to connect the concepts, theories and research techniques presented throughout the course, their ability to deal with complex research problems and questions independently, to make judgements and critical reflections about political phenomena and their transformations. Educational methods used to reach these goals: frontal lectures, workshops and team-working, seminars with scholars and experts, class discussions.

- Communication skills: students must be able to clearly and incisively communicate, appropriately using the lexicon, the concepts and the techniques of research. Educational methods used to reach these goals: the students will be asked to interact with the lecturer and with their colleagues, asking questions and actively participating to class discussions and publicly presenting ther works.

- Learning skills: students are supposed to develop adequate learning skills, so as to be able to extend and independently deepen the knowledge acquired throughout the course, following new paths of theoretical reflection or research. Educational methods used to reach these goals: frontal lectures, audio-visual materials, seminars with scholars and experts, class discussions, lab sessions and workshops.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

The lecturer will provide via the Moodle platform a selection of materials, and useful links in order to deepen the knowledge on the discussed topics. Some seminars and workshops on data visualization are also planned to be done.

Seminars on the diverse topic of empirical research are scheduled.

Educational material and information provided by the lecturer will be available, together with an indication about other supporting activities, in the platform Moodle› blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Frontal lectures with the use of audiovisual media and data Lab

Attendance

Attendance is not required but it is strongly advised to attend class for those who want to participate in working groups activity which is part of the examination scheme.

Course books

Corbetta, P., Metodologia e tecniche della ricerca sociale, Il Mulino, Bologna 2014 (II° edizione).

Students are allowed to use the previous edition of the book which is divided in 4 volumes (2003).

Assessment

The two parts of the Methodology of Social and Political Research I / II course (Integrated Modular Area, AMI) have a single final assessment. Students can choose between two different examination models:

1) written test according to the examination calendar. This is recommended to students who do not attend lectures or participate only occasionally and / or do not take part in team-working activity (workshops) scheduled over the course;

2) joint examination. In this case the final evaluation consists of the sum of scores obtained in three different exam stages:

A) workshop: questionnaire design for survey research (max 6 points);

B) data lab: data analysis with a test to be carried out in a computer laboratory (max 8 points);

C) written test at the end of the course (max 16 points).

For the workshop, the quality of the questionnaire (structure, coherence, formulation and articulation of the questions) will be assessed (see the programme of Methodology of Social and Political Research I held by Prof. Luigi Ceccarini).

For the data analysis test, carried out in the computer laboratory, the number of correct answers out of the total number of questions will be considered.

For the written test, the assessment criteria are as follows:

- relevance of responses to the content of the programme;

- level of articulation of the answers;

- relevance of the language used.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Studying for the exam is based on the chapters of the text book reported below.

Attendance

This is a  course with no attendance requirement

Course books

Corbetta, P., Metodologia e tecniche della ricerca sociale, Il Mulino, Bologna 2014 (II° edizione): chapters VI, VII, VIII, IX, XIII, XIV

Students are allowed to use the previous edition of the book which is divided in 4 volumes (2003).

Non-attending students are not supposed to study the additional teaching materials made available by the lecturer via the Moodle platform > blended.uniurb.it.

Assessment

Oral exam following the standard exams calendar

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

The student can request to sit the final exam in English with an alternative bibliography.

L’esame e la bibliografia potranno essere in lingua inglese su richiesta dello studente.