YRM-10306 Research Methods in the Social Sciences

Course

Credits 6.00

Teaching methodContact hours
Lecture14
Tutorial12
Independent study0
Course coordinator(s)dr. R Zaalberg
Lecturer(s)dr. R Zaalberg
BJ Wesselink
MSc V Emonds
E van Bennekom
AJCF Verkaar
Examiner(s)dr. R Zaalberg

Language of instruction:

Dutch

Contents:

The goal of the course is that students learn to develop a research proposal for a fundamental or practical scientific research project. Starting from a practical problem that needs to be solved, the student first learns to design an appropriate research objective and appropriate research questions. Then students learn to set up the research project according to the following research designs: the experiment, the cross-sectional design, and the case study. By the end of the course students will be able to hand in a complete, detailed and feasible research project.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- recognize and apply the empirical and regulative cycles;
- develop a conceptual research design, formulate an adequate research objective, derive a set of research questions, operationalize multi-dimensional concepts;
- recognize and develop a technical research design (experimental, cross-sectional, longitudinal, case-study), formulate hypotheses, generate a plan for data analysis;
- recognize and describe data-collection methods suitable for social science research;
- apply the methods for random and non-random sampling;
- explain and apply the methodological concepts of reliability and validity (measurement, internal, external);
- critically assess one's own research design and research designs from others.

Activities:

- lectures;
- tutorials;
- home assignments;
- studying of literature.

Examination:

- written exam with closed questions (50%);
- research proposal (50%).
To pass both components require at least a 5.50.

Literature:

Scheepers, P.L.H., Tobi, H., & Boeije, H.R. (2016). Onderzoeksmethoden (negende druk). Amsterdam: Boom. ISBN 9789058756046.

ProgrammePhaseSpecializationPeriod
Compulsory for: BBCManagement and Consumer StudiesBSc3WD
BINInternational Development StudiesBSc4WD
BCLCommunication and Life SciencesBSc4WD
BGMHealth and SocietyBSc4WD
BEBEconomics and GovernanceBSc3WD