SOC 492 – Research Methods

DETAILS Semester-hour credits: 3 Tuition: $448.50 Methods: DESCRIPTION Qualitative and quantitative methods and designs in sociological research. No prerequisites. REQUIRED MATERIALS & TEXTBOOKS The Practice of Social Research. Earl Babbie, Wadsworth Press, Tenth Edition. COURSE REQUIREMENTS Reading of the text and the Handout that itemized the expectations for the content of the Research Project paper is the most important part of this class. After each chapter are review questions. They are required, and should be turned in with the rest of the course materials. NOTEBOOK ASSIGNMENTS: Students are to design and participate in the following types of research: Observation, Participant Observation, Research Project OBSERVATION: Please first read the text discussing an observation. An observation is a piece of research that involves the researcher in watching specific behaviors, not participating in the behaviors. The student is to type this observation. PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION: Is very similar to the above observation, (please use the same criteria) but the student becomes an active participant in this piece of research. RESEARCH PROJECT: The student is to find something that they would like to ask people questions about. Next the student is to come up with a theory or hypothesis (usually hypothesis) that they want to test. DISCLAIMER: Tuition, credits, medium, description, instructors, books, materials, homework assignments, grading scale, and availability are subject to change without notice. For the most up-to-date status, please contact the Continuing Education staff.