Introduces the process of social research, emphasizing the conceptualization of research choices to ensure validity, relevance, and discovery. Includes research design and techniques of data collection as well as issues in the understanding, analysis, and interpretation of data. This course is designed to lay the foundations of good empirical research in the social sciences. It does not deal with specific techniques per se, but rather with the assumptions and the logic underlying social research. Students become acquainted with a variety of approaches to research design, and are helped to develop their own research projects and to evaluate the products of empirical research.

Introduction to Political Science Research Methods is a first-of-its-kind open education resource.

With chapter contributions from Dr. Charlotte Lee at Berkeley City College, Kau Vue at Fresno City College, Dr. Dino Bozonelos at Victor Valley College, Dr. Masahiro Omae at San Diego City College, Dr. Steven Cauchon at Imperial Valley College, and myself, the purpose of our open education resource is to provide students interested in or majoring in political science a solid introduction into the research methods of the discipline.

Table of Contents:

Introduction
History and development of the empirical study of politics
The scientific method
Theories, hypotheses, variables, and units
Conceptualization, operationalization and measurement of political concepts
Elements of research design including the logic of sampling
Qualitative research methods and means of analysis
Quantitative research methods and means of analysis
Research Ethics
Conclusion

Introduction to Sociology 2e adheres to the scope and sequence of a typical, one-semester introductory sociology course. It offers comprehensive coverage of core concepts, foundational scholars, and emerging theories, which are supported by a wealth of engaging learning materials. The textbook presents detailed section reviews with rich questions, discussions that help students apply their knowledge, and features that draw learners into the discipline in meaningful ways. The second edition retains the book’s conceptual organization, aligning to most courses, and has been significantly updated to reflect the latest research and provide examples most relevant to today’s students. In order to help instructors transition to the revised version, the 2e changes are described within the preface.

Differentiate between four kinds of research methods: surveys, field research, experiments, and secondary data analysis
Understand why different topics are better suited to different research approaches

Introduction to Statistics is a resource for learning and teaching introductory statistics. This work is in the public domain. Therefore, it can be copied and reproduced without limitation. However, we would appreciate a citation where possible. Please cite as: Online Statistics Education: A Multimedia Course of Study (http://onlinestatbook.com/). Project Leader: David M. Lane, Rice University. Instructor's manual, PowerPoint Slides, and additional questions are available.

" This course develops logical, empirically based arguments using statistical techniques and analytic methods. Elementary statistics, probability, and other types of quantitative reasoning useful for description, estimation, comparison, and explanation are covered. Emphasis is on the use and limitations of analytical techniques in planning practice."

This course develops skills in research design for policy analysis and planning. The emphasis is on the logic of the research process and its constituent elements. The course relies on a seminar format so students are expected to read all of the assigned materials and come to class prepared to discuss key themes, ideas, and controversies. Since the materials draw broadly on the social sciences, and since students have diverse interests and methodological preferences, ongoing themes in our discussions will be linking concepts to planning scholarship in general and considering how different epistemological orientations and methodological techniques map on to planning specializations.

It is expected that Students who take part in this course have completed almost all courses of their MSc and are about to start on their Master Orientation project, their Literature Study or MSc thesis depending on their chosen MSC track.

It is of little value to take this course early, so please plan accordingly!
Course Contents The aim of the course is to be a research-driven preparation for the aerospace engineering MSc thesis in the final year of the MSc. It will help you prepare for the challenges of your thesis work.

The course will consist of 7 lectures and will be taught online using video lectures in periods 1, 2 and 3 and face-to-face using traditional lectures in period 4.

The lecture set up is as follows:
1. Research Design in MSc - Introduction to research, research framework
2. Research Methods - Stages of a project, Research objective, research questions, research strategy, research methods
3. Data Analysis - Quantitative & Qualitative methods
4. Validation & Verification - How to validate & verify your work?
5. Project Management & Peer review of draft Project plan - How to manage your project and your thesis progress. Project plan peer review
6. Planning - How to plan, expectations, Gannt Charts
7. Literature Review - How to carry out a scientific literature review? Differences between review and research

Please be advised that all lectures are also available via Blackboard for those following the online version. It is possible to do this course by distant learning, attendance in the 4th period, though highly appreciated, is not mandatory!
Study Goals At the end of the course the student will:
- be aware of the expectations of an MSc student
- be able to formulate a research question and research aim
- be able to set up a research plan for their MOP/Literature Study/MSc thesis
- be able to write a literature review based on the research plan with a view to select appropriate methodologies for their MOP/MSc thesis

Education Method (Online) Lectures, Assignments and voluntary Peer review of each others research plans and literature studies

This course introduces some of the basic research tools in the political scientistĺÎĺ_ĺĚĺ_s ĺÎĺ_ĺĚĄ_tool kitĺÎĺ_ĺĚĺÎĺ and discusses why and how certain tools are used to explore certain phenomena. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: describe the relationship between the scientific method and political science; formulate research questions, theories, and hypotheses; describe the basics of the standard research approaches in political science; evaluate the soundness of a research design; perform basic statistical analyses; execute basic research in the political science discipline. This free course may be completed online at any time. (Political Science 251)

This advanced course in anthropology engages closely with discussions and debates about ethnographic research, ethics, and representation.