course-details-portlet

SOS1002

Research Methods in the Social Sciences

Choose study year
Credits 15
Level Foundation courses, level I
Course start Autumn 2024 / Spring 2025
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction Norwegian
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement School exam

About

About the course

Course content

The students will learn how to collect various forms of social science data (surveys, observations, public documents) and analyze this through various techniques (tables, correlation, regression and qualitative descriptions).

Learning outcome

Knowledge - the student shall:

  • have a basic understanding of the various research methods used in the social sciences, including the formulation of a research question, choice of research design, selection of investigative units and collection of data.
  • have knowledge and sight as to quantitative analysis, including analysis of contingency tables, correlation analyses, linear and logistical regression analyses and the more important tests and generalization methods tied to this forms of analyses.
  • have the ability to analyze qualitative data materials from interviews and observations and present the sources.
  • know the basic rules of research ethics.

Skills - the student shall demonstrate the ability to:

  • write an academic article in the social sciences based on quantitative data and quantitative analysis.
  • write an academic article in the social sciences based on qualitative data and qualitative analysis.
  • use computer software for statistical analysis.

Learning methods and activities

4 hours of lectures every week throughout the semester. Four hours of group discussion/pc lab every week with exercise supervision. The organization, number and requirements of the exercises will be presented at the beginning of the semester.

Compulsory assignments

  • Approved term papers.

Further on evaluation

Form of assessment: A five hour written exam.

Required previous knowledge

None.

Course materials

To be decided at the start of the semester.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
SVSOS107 15 sp
SOS6003 15 sp
SOS3050 7.5 sp
SOS3280 7.5 sp
IDRSA1004 15 sp Autumn 2007
SOS3060 15 sp Autumn 2007
SOS3061 15 sp Autumn 2007
IDRSA1017 7.5 sp Autumn 2017
PSY1011 7.5 sp Autumn 2017
PSY2017 7.5 sp Autumn 2017
PSYPRO4111 7.5 sp Autumn 2017
PSYPRO4317 7.5 sp Autumn 2017
PSYK4120 7.5 sp Autumn 2021
PSY1120 7.5 sp Autumn 2021
PSY1111 7.5 sp Autumn 2022
MET3001 7.5 sp Autumn 2024
PED1005 7.5 sp Autumn 2024
This course has academic overlap with the courses in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject areas

  • Social Sciences and Sports Sciences
  • Social Sciences
  • Sociology
  • Political Science

Contact information

Course coordinator

Lecturers

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Sociology and Political Science