The course aims to introduce the methodology of social research, linking the epistemological aspects of research with the more practical aspects related 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 foundations necessary to begin conducting social research. Specifically, it focuses on quantitative research, starting from the definition of research questions to empirical translation through the operationalization of concepts, the use of sample surveys and official sources, as well as the main analysis techniques.

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: Possess basic knowledge of the paradigms and logic of social sciences.

Applied knowledge and understanding: Possess basic knowledge and skills to conduct a quantitative sociological survey (formulating a research question; operationalizing concepts; sampling; constructing a questionnaire; data analysis).

Autonomy of judgment: Ability to evaluate the qualities and characteristics of a quantitative sociological survey and to choose appropriate methods and tools for a research question.

Communication skills: Ability to communicate the results of a quantitative sociological survey to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Learning skills: Based on the foundations provided in the course, the ability to deepen the understanding of methods and techniques of quantitative survey and 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

Laboratory activities are planned—either during class hours or outside of them—to introduce software for quantitative analysis in the social sciences (particularly PSPP/SPSS)

Teaching

Lectures and exercises

Innovative teaching methods

Learning by doing: data matrix and questionnaire exercises 

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)
or (for Erasmus students only)
- P. Corbetta, Social Research: Theory, Methods and Techniques, London, Sage, 2003

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
- B. Bartoli, V. Tomaselli, Costruire indagini statistiche su basi solide, Napoli, Loghìa, 2023
- L. Morlino, La comparazione. Un'introduzione metodologica, Bologna, il Mulino, 2020
- A. Marradi, Z. Simonelli. Scelta degli indicatori e costruzione degli indici, Milano, Franco Angeli, 2023
- T. Hjelm. Elements of research design, Bristol, Policy Press, 2024

or, for Erasmus students only:
- J.W. Cresswell, V.L. Plano Clark, Designing and conducting mixed-methods research, London, Sage, 2017
- L. Morlino, Comparison, Barbara Budrich Publishers

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

To allow students who do not attend classes to make up for what was covered during lectures through independent study, the following materials are provided, which cover the same content as the program to promote better understanding. 

A text of the student's choice from the following list (in addition to the course books above):

- M. Cardano, F. Ortalda, Intersezioni e nuovi spazi di ricerca, Torino, UTET Università, 2021 (Chapters 2, 3, 6 only)
- D. Huff, Mentire con le statistiche, Pescara, Monti & Ambrosini, 2007
- D. Columbro, Quando i dati discriminano, Trento, il Margine, 2024

or, for Erasmus students only:

- D. Huff, How to lie with statistics, London, Penguin, 1991

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 issues taken into consideration for the evaluation are: 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.

The professor is available to supervise students interested in completing their internship, either fully or partially, under his guidance. The topics on which the professor is available include:

• Local social policies
• Educational policies
• Forms, policies, and measures of integration of immigrants and their families