(in Polish) Social Science Methods 3700-MSNS-SSM-ALL

This course provides a practical overview of the main techniques of collecting and analysing data in the social sciences. Students will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in data collection and analysis by designing their own small-scale research project, collecting data, and conducting preliminary analysis.

The qualitative module aims to familiarise students with the different stages of the data collection and analysis process. Classes focus on the types of qualitative research designs and their differences. Students will have an opportunity to design their own small-scale qualitative study. They will also learn the ways to collect and analyse data. Eventually, students will have a chance to add up all the pieces and present the group or individual research projects they developed throughout the workshop.

The quantitative module teaches students how to find or generate quantitative data, and then analyse and present it. In the module, students will gain experience working with secondary data sources and using the free statistical software R. They will take advantage of AI in supporting their data analysis. They will design and execute their own survey. Later, they will prepare the data, analyse it, and generate visualisations to present the results.

The quantitative module includes topics such as:
● Research design & Operationalisation
● Introduction to quantitative research
● Choosing a topic for a quantitative study
● How to leverage AI in quantitative research
● Finding and using secondary data
● Sampling Strategies and Their Consequences
● Introduction to R & Pivot tables in Google Sheets/Excel
● Formulating Research Questions and Hypotheses
● Survey Design and Questionnaire Construction
● Survey Data Collection Methods
● Survey Data Management and Cleaning
● Quantitative Data Analysis: Descriptive statistics
● Quantitative Data Analysis: Basics of Bivariate and Inferential Analysis
● Data visualisation
● Reporting Quantitative Research Results

The qualitative module includes the following topics:

(1) Designing research
● Introduction to inquiry & Popular research design models in social sciences
● Qualitative research designs & modes of observation
● Mixed methods research design
● Examples of different models of quasi-experimental research designs, with a discussion on internal and external sources of invalidity
● Ethics in social science

Required readings:
➔ Babbie E. (various editions ). The Practice of Social Research, CENGAGE, chapter 11: ’ Unobtrusive research ’.
➔ Vink, M. P., Prokic‐Breuer, T., & Dronkers, J. (2013). Immigrant naturalisation in the context of institutional diversity: policy matters, but to whom?. International Migration, 51(5), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1111/imig.12106
➔ Guest, G., Namey, E., & Mitchell, M. (2013). Qualitative research: Defining and designing. (Vols. 1-0). SAGE Publications, Ltd, https://doi.org/10.4135/9781506374680

Assignment 1: Students will develop a 300-word assignment that includes a description of a research design of their choice and discusses possible sources of invalidity. Throughout the course, students will be asked to return to the design and actually conduct some elements of the study.

(2) Qualitative data collection
● Choosing a research topic
● Sampling in qualitative research
● Participant observation
● In-depth interviews
● Visual methods

Required readings:
➔ Guest, G., Namey, E., & Mitchell, M. (2013). Sampling in qualitative research. (Vols. 1-0). SAGE Publications, Ltd, https://doi.org/10.4135/9781506374680Guest,
➔ G., Namey, E., & Mitchell, M. (2013). Participant Observation. (Vols. 1-0). SAGE Publications, Ltd, https://doi.org/10.4135/9781506374680
➔ Guest, G., Namey, E., & Mitchell, M. (2013). In-depth interviews. (Vols. 1-0). SAGE Publications, Ltd, https://doi.org/10.4135/9781506374680
➔ Guest, G., Namey, E., & Mitchell, M. (2013). Qualitative data management. (Vols. 1-0). SAGE Publications, Ltd, https://doi.org/10.4135/9781506374680
➔ Pink, S. (Ed.) (2012). Visual practices and visualising practice. SAGE Publications Ltd, https://doi.org/10.4135/9781446250921Pink, S. (Ed.) (2012). New visual spatialities. SAGE Publications Ltd, https://doi.org/10.4135/9781446250921

Assignment 2:
Students will develop a sampling frame for a study of their choice and one of the following: (1) a matrix of participant observation, (2) a scenario to conduct IDI, or (3) a plan of data management. Students will also be required to practice using the tool and prepare an outcome-filled observation matrix or IDI transcript.

(3) Qualitative data management and analysis
● Qualitative Data Management
● Themes and codes
● Grounded Theory Approach
● Software - MaxQDA, NVIVO, Dedoose

Required readings:
➔ Guest, G., MacQueen, K. M., & Namey, E. E. (2012). Planning and preparing the analysis. SAGE Publications, Inc., https://doi.org/10.4135/9781483384436
➔ Guest, G., MacQueen, K. M., & Namey, E. E. (2012). Themes and codes. SAGE Publications, Inc., https://doi.org/10.4135/9781483384436
➔ Guest, G., MacQueen, K. M., & Namey, E. E. (2012). Validity and reliability (credibility and dependability) in qualitative research and data analysis. SAGE Publications, Inc., https://doi.org/10.4135/9781483384436
➔ Guest, G., MacQueen, K. M., & Namey, E. E. (2012). Choosing qualitative data analysis software. SAGE Publications, Inc., https://doi.org/10.4135/9781483384436

Assignment 3:
Students will develop a short assignment, including a coding tree:
Develop a coding tree for your interview in Dedoose
Take a print screen of the tree and paste it to a Word File
Code an interview
Produce output with excerpts in one Word file, paste the Coding tree on the Top
As an alternative, students are allowed to code an interview from one of the CMR projects using a pre-made coding tree.

(4) Reporting research results
● Incorporating qualitative & quantitative research
● Reporting research results
● Social networks

Required readings:
➔ Guest, G., MacQueen, K. M., & Namey, E. E. (2012). Writing up thematic analyses. SAGE Publications, Inc., https://doi.org/10.4135/9781483384436

Assignment 4. (Final assignment to be handed on the last class)
Write a short research report and present your group project.
Your research report can incorporate the content of your previous assignments. The research report should have between 5 and 10 pages.
The structure should include:
1. Introduction
2. Background
3. Methods
4. Results
5. Summary & Discussion
6. References (APA)