Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Research Methods in Social Sciences
Course Code
SZF_203
Branch of Science
Sociology and social work
ECTS
6.00
Target Audience
Business Management; Communication Science; Information and Communication Science; Juridical Science; Law; Management Science; Marketing and Advertising; Political Science; Rehabilitation; Social Anthropology; Social Welfare and Social Work; Sociology
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time; Part-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Ieva Saukuma
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts
Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szf@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
Familiarise students with the nature of the social study, the stages of conducting the study, the most important research methods. During the course, students acquire an understanding of the approach of a qualitative and quantitative nature in social studies, acquire sampling, data collection, processing and analysis skills, as well as increase the competence to apply social research methods to solve specific societal problems.
Preliminary Knowledge
Introduction to specialty.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Understand the nature of social research, know the progress and principles of study planning
Individual work and tests
Test on social research methods
2.Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative approach research methods
Individual work and tests
Test on social research methods
3.Is familiar with the principles of building research methodologies
Individual work and tests
Test on social research methods
Skills
1.Independently develop a research instrument for the collection of qualitative and quantitative data and assess their reliability
Individual work and tests
Research of the problem using social science research methods
2.Make correct study sample and use selected study methods
Individual work and tests
Research of the problem using social science research methods
3.Process and analyze the collected results of the study
Individual work and tests
Research of the problem using social science research methods
Competences
1.Selects a study design appropriate to the situation/problem
Individual work and tests
Exam
2.Adequately addresses the difficulties encountered during the implementation of the study
Individual work and tests
Research of the problem using social science research methods
3.Interprets the study results according to the purpose of the study
Individual work and tests
Exam
Assessment
Individual work
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Research of the problem using social science research methods |
40.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Test on social research methods |
20.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
2.
Exam |
40.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Introduction to social studies: principles of scientific approach, nature of social research, ethical principles in public research, disciplines of social sciences and corresponding methodological specialisation.
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Introduction to social studies: principles of scientific approach, nature of social research, ethical principles in public research, disciplines of social sciences and corresponding methodological specialisation.
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Study design in social sciences: descriptive, explanatory and interpretive research. Identification of the research problem, research issues, literature review, conceptualisation and operationalisation, qualitative, quantitative and mixed approach.
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Study design in social sciences: descriptive, explanatory and interpretive research. Identification of the research problem, research issues, literature review, conceptualisation and operationalisation, qualitative, quantitative and mixed approach.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Main research methods in the qualitative approach: basic sampling principles, interviews, focus group discussion, observation/participatory observation, discourse analysis, tentative analysis, narcotic analysis
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Main research methods in the qualitative approach: basic sampling principles, interviews, focus group discussion, observation/participatory observation, discourse analysis, tentative analysis, narcotic analysis
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Main research methods in the qualitative approach: basic sampling principles, interviews, focus group discussion, observation/participatory observation, discourse analysis, tentative analysis, narcotic analysis
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Main research methods in the qualitative approach: basic sampling principles, interviews, focus group discussion, observation/participatory observation, discourse analysis, tentative analysis, narcotic analysis
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Main research methods in the quantitative approach: basic sampling principles, survey, observation, contentanalysis
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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2
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Topics
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Main research methods in the quantitative approach: basic sampling principles, survey, observation, contentanalysis
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On site
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2
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Topics
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Main research methods in the quantitative approach: basic sampling principles, survey, observation, contentanalysis
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Main research methods in the quantitative approach: basic sampling principles, survey, observation, contentanalysis
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Combination of qualitative and quantitative methods
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Combination of qualitative and quantitative methods
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Processing and analysis of study results: data processing and analysis in qualitative and quantitative methods relevant programmes (SPSS, R, Stata, MAXQDA). Descriptive statistics
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Processing and analysis of study results: data processing and analysis in qualitative and quantitative methods relevant programmes (SPSS, R, Stata, MAXQDA). Descriptive statistics
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Processing and analysis of study results: data processing and analysis in qualitative and quantitative methods relevant programmes (SPSS, R, Stata, MAXQDA). Descriptive statistics
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Processing and analysis of study results: data processing and analysis in qualitative and quantitative methods relevant programmes (SPSS, R, Stata, MAXQDA). Descriptive statistics
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Processing and analysis of study results: data processing and analysis in qualitative and quantitative methods relevant programmes (SPSS, R, Stata, MAXQDA). Descriptive statistics
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Processing and analysis of study results: data processing and analysis in qualitative and quantitative methods relevant programmes (SPSS, R, Stata, MAXQDA). Descriptive statistics
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Processing and analysis of study results: data processing and analysis in qualitative and quantitative methods relevant programmes (SPSS, R, Stata, MAXQDA). Descriptive statistics
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Processing and analysis of study results: data processing and analysis in qualitative and quantitative methods relevant programmes (SPSS, R, Stata, MAXQDA). Descriptive statistics
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Processing and analysis of study results: data processing and analysis in qualitative and quantitative methods relevant programmes (SPSS, R, Stata, MAXQDA). Descriptive statistics
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Processing and analysis of study results: data processing and analysis in qualitative and quantitative methods relevant programmes (SPSS, R, Stata, MAXQDA). Descriptive statistics
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Interpretation and visualisation of study results
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
|
2
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Topics
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Interpretation and visualisation of study results
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
|
2
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Topics
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Interpretation and visualisation of study results
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
|
Study room
|
2
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Topics
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Interpretation and visualisation of study results
|
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
|
Study room
|
2
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Topics
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Assurance of the reliability of the study
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Assurance of the reliability of the study
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Complementary research methods: case studies, action studies, analysis of secondary data, use of visual data, vignettes, scenarios, narcotic analysis, meta analysis, comparative research, etc.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Practical application of research methods in social sciences
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Test
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Exam
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
6.00
Contact hours:
64 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam
PART-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Introduction to social studies: principles of scientific approach, nature of social research, ethical principles in public research, disciplines of social sciences and corresponding methodological specialisation.
|
|
Study design in social sciences: descriptive, explanatory and interpretive research. Identification of the research problem, research issues, literature review, conceptualisation and operationalisation, qualitative, quantitative and mixed approach.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Main research methods in the qualitative approach: basic sampling principles, interviews, focus group discussion, observation/participatory observation, discourse analysis, tentative analysis, narcotic analysis
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Main research methods in the qualitative approach: basic sampling principles, interviews, focus group discussion, observation/participatory observation, discourse analysis, tentative analysis, narcotic analysis
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Main research methods in the quantitative approach: basic sampling principles, survey, observation, contentanalysis
|
|
Combination of qualitative and quantitative methods
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Main research methods in the quantitative approach: basic sampling principles, survey, observation, contentanalysis
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Processing and analysis of study results: data processing and analysis in qualitative and quantitative methods relevant programmes (SPSS, R, Stata, MAXQDA). Descriptive statistics
|
|
Interpretation and visualisation of study results
|
|
Assurance of the reliability of the study
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Processing and analysis of study results: data processing and analysis in qualitative and quantitative methods relevant programmes (SPSS, R, Stata, MAXQDA). Descriptive statistics
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Processing and analysis of study results: data processing and analysis in qualitative and quantitative methods relevant programmes (SPSS, R, Stata, MAXQDA). Descriptive statistics
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Processing and analysis of study results: data processing and analysis in qualitative and quantitative methods relevant programmes (SPSS, R, Stata, MAXQDA). Descriptive statistics
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Processing and analysis of study results: data processing and analysis in qualitative and quantitative methods relevant programmes (SPSS, R, Stata, MAXQDA). Descriptive statistics
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Processing and analysis of study results: data processing and analysis in qualitative and quantitative methods relevant programmes (SPSS, R, Stata, MAXQDA). Descriptive statistics
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Processing and analysis of study results: data processing and analysis in qualitative and quantitative methods relevant programmes (SPSS, R, Stata, MAXQDA). Descriptive statistics
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Processing and analysis of study results: data processing and analysis in qualitative and quantitative methods relevant programmes (SPSS, R, Stata, MAXQDA). Descriptive statistics
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Processing and analysis of study results: data processing and analysis in qualitative and quantitative methods relevant programmes (SPSS, R, Stata, MAXQDA). Descriptive statistics
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Interpretation and visualisation of study results
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Interpretation and visualisation of study results
|
-
Test
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Exam
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
6.00
Contact hours:
32 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Crano, William, D. et al. Principles and Methods of Social Research (4th Edition). Taylor & Francis, 2023.Suitable for English stream
2.
Foster, Liam & Sloan, Luke & Clark, Tom & Bryman, Alan. Bryman's Social Research Methods, (6th Edition). Oxford University Press, 2021.Suitable for English stream
3.
Grønmo, Sigmund. Social research methods: qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches. SAGE Publications Ltd, 2020.Suitable for English stream