The course aims to introduce the methodology of social research, linking epistemological aspects of research with the more practical ones relating to the application of the most common quantitative (module I) and qualitative (module II) research techniques

The course therefore intends to provide students with knowledge and skills related to the theoretical and technical bases of quantitative research, starting from the definition of research questions, up to empirical translation through the construction of research tools, the use of the main quantitative techniques (surveys in particular) and data analysis.

Part I. Social research
Research questions
Designing a research
Constructing data
Analysing data
Communicating results
Qualitative and quantitative research

Part II. Quantitative research
Definitions
Surveys
Scales
Experiments
Analysis of quantitative data

Knowledge and understanding: achieving the basic knowledge relating to the paradigms and logic of the social sciences.

Applied knowledge and understanding: achieving basic knowledge and skills for carrying out a quantitative sociological research, (construction of a research question; identification of the subjects / research units, sampling; designing a questionnaire; data analysis);

Autonomy of judgment: ability to evaluate the qualities and characteristics of a quantitative sociological investigation and to choose methods and tools suitable for a research question.

Communication skills: ability to communicate the results of a quantitative sociological survey to specialist and non-specialist interlocutors.

Ability to learn: starting from the basics provided in the course, ability to deepen the functioning of methods and techniques of investigation and quantitative analysis

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

Lab activities to introduce students to statistical packages for social sciences may be offered - during classes or in other time slots

Teaching

Lectures and exercises

Innovative teaching methods

Lessons will also use practice exercises and supplementary activites, to be performed individually or in small groups. Some topics will be covered via problem-based learning exercises and simulations (learning by doing)

Attendance

Attendance of at least three quarters of the lessons

Course books

Basics
- M. Cardano, F. Ortaida, L'analisi quantitativa, Torino, UTET Università, 2021 (Chapter 4 excluded)

Specific subjects
A book among the following ones:
- E. Amaturo, G. Punziano, I Mixed Methods nella ricerca sociale, Roma, Carocci, 2016
- C. Bezzi, Domanda e ti sarà risposto. Costruire e gestire il questionario nella ricerca sociale, Milano, Franco Angeli, 2015
- F. Biolcati Rinaldi, C. Vezzoni, L'analisi secondaria nella ricerca sociale, Bologna, il Mulino, 2012
- A. Marradi, Tutti redigono questionari. Ma è davvero così facile?, Milano, Franco Angeli, 2019
- L. Morlino, La comparazione. Un'introduzione metodologica, Bologna, il Mulino, 2020

Assessment

Oral exam, based on at least four questions to assess the knowledge and skills of the different phases of a social research, possibly with a request for simulations and case / examples analysis: research design; characteristics and uses of the main quantitative techniques, data analysis; presentation and dissemination of results..

The evaluation criteria are: level of mastery of basic knowledge, mastery of the specialized language of the discipline, knowledge and application of the various research methods and tools.

Each of the criteria, of equal weight, is assessed on the basis of a four-level scale (approximate mastery; limited mastery but sufficient for application; adequate mastery; excellent mastery with the ability to autonomously use methods and tools). The ability to autonomously elaborate and construct arguments by linking the different study texts is a further appreciable requirement

Please, note: Methodology and techniques of social research/1 and Methodology and techniques of social research/2 are one exam, that must be taken in the same round. It is not possible to split the exam.

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

Individual study of the texts. In case, exercises on the blended / elearning platform

Attendance

Not required

Course books

Besides the course books for attending students, non attending students have to study one of the following:
- M. Cardano, F. Ortalda, Intersezioni e nuovi spazi di ricerca, Torino, UTET Università, 2021 (Chapters 2, 3, 6 only)
- H. Darrel, Mentire con le statistiche, Pescara, Monti & Ambrosini, 2007

Assessment

Oral exam, based on at least four questions to assess the knowledge and skills of the different phases of a social research, possibly with a request for simulations and case / examples analysis: research design; characteristics and uses of the main quantitative techniques, data analysis; presentation and dissemination of results..

The evaluation criteria are: level of mastery of basic knowledge, mastery of the specialized language of the discipline, knowledge and application of the various research methods and tools.

Each of the criteria, of equal weight, is assessed on the basis of a four-level scale (approximate mastery; limited mastery but sufficient for application; adequate mastery; excellent mastery with the ability to autonomously use methods and tools). The ability to autonomously elaborate and construct arguments by linking the different study texts is a further appreciable requirement

Please, note: Methodology and techniques of social research/1 and Methodology and techniques of social research/2 are one exam, that must be taken in the same round. It is not possible to split the exam.

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.

Students can request to sit the final exam in English with an alternative programme.

I'm available to flank students interested to complete their internship doing research with a professor. I can flank students interested in the following fields

• Local environmental policies
• Local youth policy
• Indicators for local policy-making
• Features, policies and data on immigrant integration (with a special focus on small towns or refugees)