Social Science Methodology 1 Page 1 of 4

University of Guyana
Faculty of Social Sciences
Department of Sociology
SOC 3104: SOCIAL SCIENCE METHODOLOGY I
Credits (4)
COURSE OUTLINE 2022/2023
SEMESTER I

COURSE: SOC 3104 – SOCIAL SCIENCE METHODOLOGY

ACADEMIC YEAR 2022/2023
SEMESTER ONE
LECTURER DR. DUANE EDWARDS
EMAIL duane.edwards@uog.edu.gy
OFFICE
LECTURE HOURS Monday 18:15 – 21:10hrs (6:15pm – 9:10pm)
OFFICE HOURS By appointment

Purpose of the course

This course serves to introduce students to the various approaches in the social and behavioral
sciences. It presents an opportunity for students to begin acquiring the necessary competencies to
conduct quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research. The course begins by examining the
philosophical foundations of the social sciences, and continues through examining theory, research
design, measurement, and associated issues. It ends by demonstrating the different approaches and
focus areas in quantitative and qualitative research.

Student Learning Outcomes

At the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Distinguish the scientific method from other ways that human beings acquire
knowledge.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the philosophical underpinning of social science
research.
3. Explain the difference between the quantitative and qualitative approaches to research
and distinguish the questions each might be employed in answering.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of basic concepts used in social research and narrate the
specific steps in the research process.
5. Apply the knowledge and tools herein provided in the construction of a research
proposal based on a social problem of their choosing.

Exemptions
None
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Prerequisites/Co-requisites/Follow-on courses
None

Course Content

Week Topics Readings

The Philosophy and Structure of Science

Positivism and Interpretivism
Bryman Ch. 2
1 Ontological and Epistemological considerations
Crotty
Common Sense Knowledge vs Scientific knowledge
Neuman Ch. 4
The Scientific Method
Rosenthal et al., Ch. 3
Social Science Theories
Sociological theories: Deductive and Inductive Theory, Bryman Ch. 2
Concepts – Abstract vs Concrete concepts Neuman Ch. 3
2-4 Variables – relationship between variables Babbie Ch. 2
Criteria for establishing cause and effect relationships Ritzer et al.
Strategies for hypothesis formulation and verification
Research questions and objectives formulation.
Dimensions of Research
Purpose: Descriptive, Exploratory and Explanatory Studies Neuman Ch. 2
Time Dimension: Cross Section and Longitudinal Research Neuman Ch. 6
Literature Review
5-6 The ethics and politics of social research
Research Design
Quantitative methods and techniques
Qualitative methods and techniques
Mixed Methodology, Triangulation
Measurement
Quantitative and qualitative measurement Neuman Ch. 7
Conceptualization and operationalization Babbie Ch. 6
7-8 Levels of measurement
The validity of measurements
The reliability of measurements
MID TERM TEST
The Research Population and sampling Neuman Ch. 8
Population vs Sample Babbie Ch. 7
9 Constructing the sampling frame
Probability and non-probability sampling techniques

Quantitative Data Collection and Analysis Neuman Ch. 12

Descriptive statistics
Coding and entering data using SPSS and R Babbie Ch. 16
Measures of central tendency and dispersion
10-11
Univariate and Bivariate Relationships
Measures of Association
Guidelines for Reporting Analyses

Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis

Interviewing and social research Neuman. Ch. 15
Linking theory and analysis Babbie Ch. 17
Coding qualitative data: open coding, selective & axial coding. Bryman Ch. 29
Discovering themes and patterns Neuman Ch. 16
12-13
Analytic strategies for qualitative data: successive approximation,
illustrative method, analogies
Guidelines for Reporting Analyses
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Method of teaching

This course will be delivered using a combination of any of the following strategies: lectures,
discussion, group work, projects, problem solving, role-playing, simulation, peer teaching, case
study, and debates.

Method of assessment

Tutorial Presentation 20%

Tutorial Paper 25%
Mid-semester Assessment 25%
Final Assessment 30%
Total 100%

Grading scheme
A = 75%+
B = 65% to 74%
C = 55% to 64%
D = 45% to 54%
F = 0 to 44%

Note:

Students are cautioned to avoid late submission of their respective assignments. Students are also
required to use APA style for referencing and are expected to consult with the requisite source(s)
to authenticate their work.

Academic dishonesty
Cheating is a serious offence, which will result in penalties including failure of the course
and possible suspension. This includes but not limited to cheating during exams and plagiarizing.
Plagiarism is using someone’s work and ideas as if it is yours. Fabrication of information is also
prohibited since it is contrary to academic standards. Students are therefore encouraged to cite
careful references in their written work. See Student Handbook.

Required readings

Babbie, E. (2021). The practice of social research. (15th ed.). Austrailia: Wadsworth Cengage
Learning

Babbie, E. (2011). The basics of social research (10th ed.). Wadsworth Cengage Learning
.

Bell, J & Waters, S. (2018). Doing your Research Project (7th ed.). Berkshire, England. Open
University Press.
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Berg, B.L. & Lune H. (2017). Qualitative research methods for the social sciences (9th ed.).
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

Boxill, I., Chambers, C.M. & Wint, E. (1977). Introduction to social research, with applications to
the Caribbean. Cave Hill: Canoe Press UWI.

Bryman, A. (2012).Social Research Methods.(4thed.).New York: Oxford University Press.

Creswell, J.W. (2009). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods
approaches (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Crotty, M. (1998). The foundations of social research: Meaning and perspective in the research
process. London: Sage Publications

Neuman, W. (2009). Social research methods: Quantitative and qualitative approaches.

(7thed.).London: Pearson.

Persaud, N, Devonish, D & Persaud P. (2019). Nuts and Bolts of Research Methodology. Jamaica:
Ian Randle Publishers.

Ritzer, G.& Goodman, D. (2004). Contemporary sociological theory (6thed.). New York, NY:
Alfred A. Knopf.

Rubin, A. & Babbie, E. (2010). Essential research methods for social work (2nd ed.). Belmont, CA:
Brooks/Cole.

Rubin, A. & Babbie, E. (2011). Research methods for social work (7th ed.). Belmont, CA:
Brooks/Cole.

Rubin, H. J. & Rubin, I. S. (2012). Qualitative interviewing: The art of hearing data (3rd ed.).
Los Angeles: Sage.

Thyer, B. (Ed.). (2010). The handbook of social work research methods (2nd ed.) Los Angeles,
CA: Sage.

Recommended readings

Rosenthal, R. & Rosnow, R. (2008) Essentials of Behavioural Research: Methods and Data
Analysis (3rd ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.