SRJC Course Outlines

3/28/2024 5:53:22 AMSOC 5 Course Outline as of Summer 2021

Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  SOC 5Title:  SOC RESEARCH METHODS  
Full Title:  Sociological Research Methods
Last Reviewed:2/24/2020

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum3.00Lecture Scheduled3.0017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled52.50
Minimum3.00Lab Scheduled06 min.Lab Scheduled0
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total3.00 Contact Total52.50
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50 

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:
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This course serves as an introduction to research methods in Sociology, including principles of research design and critical analysis.  Students will acquire skills for both designing and conducting a Sociological research project.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Course Completion of SOC 1


Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
This course serves as an introduction to research methods in Sociology, including principles of research design and critical analysis.  Students will acquire skills for both designing and conducting a Sociological research project.
(Grade or P/NP)

Prerequisites:Course Completion of SOC 1
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:Effective:Inactive:
 Area:
 
CSU GE:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
IGETC:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
CSU Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 2014Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 2014Inactive:
 
C-ID:
 CID Descriptor: SOCI 120 Introduction to Research Methods SRJC Equivalent Course(s): SOC5

Certificate/Major Applicable: Major Applicable Course



COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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1. Describe, compare, and contrast commonly used research paradigms and methods.
2. Design, conduct, and report results from a research project.
 

Objectives: Untitled document
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Explain why research is important within the field of sociology.
2. Identify the steps in sociological investigation.
3. Compare and contrast scientific, interpretive, and critical frameworks
     for conducting sociological research.
4. Describe the key elements of sociological research methods, including ethnography,
     surveys, interviews, and content analysis.
5. Develop a viable research question.
6. Summarize existing research literature.
7. Select and apply an appropriate methodology for a given research question.
8. Analyze and report on collected data.
9. Evaluate the quality of research findings reported in popular media and scholarly reports.

Topics and Scope
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I. Importance and Uses of Research
    A. Empirical knowledge vs. "common sense"
    B. Basic research models (exploratory, descriptive, explanatory, evaluative)
II. Research Ethics
    A. Common dilemmas
     B. Principles of research ethics
III. Preparing to Conduct Sociological Research
    A. Forming a researchable question or hypothesis
     B. Reviewing the literature
    C. Preparing a research proposal
IV. Conducting Sociological Research
    A. Gathering data
     B. Analyzing collected data
     C. Presenting collected data in narrative and/or graphic form
V. Proposing and Evaluating Research Reports
    A. Understanding statistical tables and graphs
    B. Evaluating how a study was conducted
    C. Assessing research findings and conclusions

Assignments:
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1. Read 20-30 pages per week
2. Take 2-3 exams, including a Final Exam, on material from lectures and reading
3. Complete a research paper of at least 2,500 words total, focused on individual research or the
     research process
4. Short writing assignments, including analyses of methods of social research at least 1500
    words total
5. At the discretion of the instructor, provide group presentations and participate in in-class
     and out-of-class exercises

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.Writing
50 - 60%
Research project or essay; short writing assignments regarding research methods
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.Problem Solving
0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.Skill Demonstrations
0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.Exams
30 - 40%
Essay questions and multiple-choice, short answer, or true false questions either as take-home or in-class tests
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
0 - 10%
Student Presentations


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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Investigating the Social World: The Process and Practice of Research. 9th ed. Shutt, Russell K. Sage Publications. 2018
An Invitation to Social Research: How It's Done. 5th ed. Adler, Emily Stier and Roger Clark. Cengage Learning. 2014 (classic)

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