Modules

Prerequisites

Contents

- Basics of qualitative methods - Basic of quantitative methods - basics of developing a research design - basics of data analysing

Learning outcomes

This is an introductory module in Methods of Social Science. The objective of the module is to convey a basic understanding of the techniques of quantitative and qualitative research. The module is split in a theoretical and a practical part. The theoretical part will be thought in class introducing students to basics of research praxis (30 hours). In the course of the semester each student will prepare his/her own project to research on, which accounts for the practical part (90 hours). Students may work in groups, that will regularly report their own project´s advance. The module shall enable students to work out own hypotheses, create a research plan, do the field work and analyse the collected data. This provides students with the methodlogical tools to convey their own research, well before they start their final Bachelor, Master, Diploma or PhD Thesis. Students may come up with their own topics or choose one out of several offered fields of research. According to the chosen method certain knowledge of German language is necessary (to a lesser degree for quantitative methods).

Assessment

Students will realise in the course of the semester their own research projects, either in groups or individual. The research shall be presented in a presentation in the last meeting 1st of February. Additionally each student has to write a summary of the research carried out or write at least one part of a group work.

Remarks

This complementary module is offered only in WS 2009/10. VLVZ 410615 SE Methods of empirical social sciences