COURSE INTRODUCTION AND APPLICATION INFORMATION

Course Name
Research Design and Methods in Social Sciences
Code
Semester
Theory
(hour/week)
Application/Lab
(hour/week)
Local Credits
ECTS
GS 591
Fall
3
0
3
7.5
Prerequisites
None
Course Language
English
Course Type
Required
Course Level
Second Cycle
Mode of Delivery -
Teaching Methods and Techniques of the Course
Course Coordinator
Course Lecturer(s)
Assistant(s) -
Course Objectives The course is intended to provide a solid foundation associated with research design and methods in social sciences for graduate students to be used during the rest of their graduate study. This course aims to prepare graduate students to comprehend the tools, subjects and methods related with the logic of the scientific inquiry, research design, and qualitative and quantitative research methods. The course also targets to reinforce awareness of the research process and ability to conduct research in an ethical and through means via suitable research strategies.
Learning Outcomes The students who succeeded in this course;
  • Identify appropriate research methods
  • Use both qualitative and quantitative research techniques
  • Define a research problem
  • Formulate research questions and/or hypothesis for a given topic
  • Write a research proposal
  • Conduct an independent research project
  • Evaluate and report the results deriving from a research project
  • Comprehend the ethical responsibilities of a social sciences researcher
Course Description The aim of the course is to deliver a complete understanding of the various\nresearch methods used in the Social Sciences, and to establish necessary practical skills required for their application. In this course, students will be developing a formal research proposal for a master thesis or term project on a topic as it relates to their individual graduate programmes with the supervision of their advisors and present it to the academic staff of the related graduate programme.
Related Sustainable Development Goals

 



Course Category

 Core Courses
Major Area Courses
Supportive Courses
Media and Managment Skills Courses
Transferable Skill Courses

 

WEEKLY SUBJECTS AND RELATED PREPARATION STUDIES

Week Subjects Required Materials
1 Introduction: Research in Social Science Chapter 2 &3 in Benton & Craib (2011)
2 Introduction to Research Ethics Chapter 1 &2 in Danermark et al. (2002)
3 Stages of Research in Social Sciences -
4 Stages of Research in Social Sciences -
5 Causality, Theory and Hypothesis Chapter 3 in King et al. (1995)
6 Linking Theory and Observation Chapter 5 in Rich et al. (2018)
7 Presenting Data by R -
8 Presenting Data by R -
9 Selecting and Presenting Data Chapter 4 in King et al. (1995) & Chapter 14 in Rich et. Al (2018)
10 Basics of Statistics -
11 Basics of Statistics
12 Surveys and Interviews Chapter 8 & 20 in Rich et al. (2018)
13 Content analysis Chapter 10 in Rich et al. (2018)
14 Scientific Output
15 Projects
16 Projects
Course Notes/Textbooks
Qualitative Inquiry & Research Design, Choosing Among Five Approaches, John W. Creswell, Sage, 2007; Fundamentals of Qualitative Research, Johnny Saldana, Oxford University Press, 2011; Research Methods for Political Science: Quantitative and Qualitative Methods, David E McNabb, Routledge, 2015; Qualitative Research Methods for the Social Sciences, Howard Lune & Bruce L. Berg, 2017; OpenIntro Statistics / David Diez, Christopher barr, Mine Çetinkaya-Rundel, 3rd ed, Statistics for business and economics / Paul Newbold, William L. Carlson, Betty M. Thorne.—8th ed. 2013, Introduction to New statistics / Geoff Cumming, Robert Calin-Jageman. 1st ed, 2017.
Suggested Readings/Materials

 

EVALUATION SYSTEM

Semester Activities Number Weigthing
Participation
15
10
Laboratory / Application
Field Work
Quizzes / Studio Critiques
Portfolio
Homework / Assignments
2
50
Presentation / Jury
Project
1
40
Seminar / Workshop
Oral Exam
Midterm
Final Exam
Total

Weighting of Semester Activities on the Final Grade
2
60
Weighting of End-of-Semester Activities on the Final Grade
1
40
Total

ECTS / WORKLOAD TABLE

Semester Activities Number Duration (Hours) Workload
Course Hours
(Including exam week: 16 x total hours)
16
3
48
Laboratory / Application Hours
(Including exam week: 16 x total hours)
16
Study Hours Out of Class
16
3
48
Field Work
Quizzes / Studio Critiques
Portfolio
Homework / Assignments
2
10
Presentation / Jury
Project
1
30
Seminar / Workshop
Oral Exam
Midterms
Final Exams
    Total
146

 

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES AND PROGRAM QUALIFICATIONS RELATIONSHIP

#
 Program Competencies/Outcomes
* Contribution Level
1
2
3
4
5
1

To be able to advance specialized architectural knowledge based on qualifications acquired at the undergraduate level.
2

To be able to conceive the interdisciplinary nature of the architectural field and apply such knowledge and analytical capacity to interdisciplinary studies.
3

To be able to apply specialized knowledge in architecture in theoretical or practical work.
4

To be able to produce new knowledge by integrating architectural knowledge with knowledge in other disciplines.
5

To be able to diagnose and evaluate a specific problem in architecture and to relate this ability to publishing or practice.
6

To be able critically evaluate knowledge peculiar to the architectural field, facilitate self-directed learning and produce advanced work independently. 
7

To be able to communicate contemporary developments in architecture and one’s own work in professional and interdisciplinary environments in written, oral or visual forms.
8

To be able to consider, control and communicate social, scientific and ethical values in the accumulation, interpretation, publication and/or application of architectural data.
9

To be able to critically analyze the norms that inform spatial relationships and their social implications and to develop original thesis according to guidelines.
10

To be able to keep up with developing knowledge in Architecture and participate in academic and professional discussions using at least one foreign language.

*1 Lowest, 2 Low, 3 Average, 4 High, 5 Highest