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 qualitative research starting from the definition of research questions, up to empirical translation through the construction of research tools, the use of the main qualitative techniques and data analysis. .

1.Perspectives and new directions in qualitative research

2.Qualitative research design 

3. Participant observation

4. Discursive interview

5. Focus group

6. Creative and participatory methods in qualitative research

7. The analysis of qualitative 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 qualitative sociological research, (construction of a research question; identification of the subjects / research units, construction of an interview / observation frame; skills and knowledge about conducting qualitative interveiw and focus groups, data analysis);

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

Communication skills: ability to communicate the results of a qualitative 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 qualitative 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

Teaching

Lectures, exercises, seminars.

Innovative teaching methods

Problem based learning

Attendance

Attendance of at least three quarters of the lessons

Course books

M. Cardano, F. Ortalda, L'analisi qualitativa, Utet, 2021

A. GIORGI, M. PIZZOLATI, E. VACCHELLI, Metodi creativi per la ricerca sociale. Contesto, pratiche e strumenti. Il Mulino, 2021(attending students do not have to study chapters V and VI)

Assessment

Oral exam, based on at least four questions to ascertain the knowledge and skills of the different phases of the research, possibly with a request for simulations and case / examples analysis: research design; characteristics and uses of the main qualitative 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. Possible exercises on the blended / elearning platform

Attendance

Not required

Course books

M. Cardano, F. Ortalda, L'analisi qualitativa, Utet, 2021

A. GIORGI, M. PIZZOLATI, E. VACCHELLI, Metodi creativi per la ricerca sociale. Contesto, pratiche e strumenti. Il Mulino, 2021

Assessment

Oral exam, based on at least four questions to ascertain the knowledge and skills of the different phases of the research, possibly with a request for simulations and case / examples analysis: research design; characteristics and uses of the main qualitative 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.