SOC 15: SOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH METHODS
CRN: 10822
Kyle Dodson | kdodson2@ucmerced.edu
________________________________________________________________________
Lectures
Room:
Day:
Time:
Office:
Hours:
COB 110
Tuesday/Thursday
10:30-11:45 AM
COB 337
Tuesday, 9:30-10:30
Labs
Instructor:
Room:
Day:
Time:
Amy Moffat
SSM 154
Friday
9:00-9:50 (SOC-015-02D)
10:00-10:50 (SOC-015-03D)
Office:
COB 337
Hours:
Thursday, 12:30-2:30
________________________________________________________________________
Course Description:
This is a research methods course required for undergraduate majors in Sociology. It
provides a broad introduction to the sociological research process, focusing on how a variety
of methods can be used to study sociological phenomena. It is, essentially, a course on how
to do sociology. We will address both general issues in research design, such as measurement
and sampling, as well as various data collection techniques and approaches, including
ethnography, interviewing, content analysis, and survey research. We will discuss the
advantages and disadvantages of various research methods and how sociologists choose the
most appropriate method for their research. These discussions will provide information
regarding how to conduct a study and a basis for informed evaluation of other researchers’
claims.
Student Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
1. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of social science research.
2. Assess various research strategies and design empirical sociological research.
3. Explain and critique published accounts of social science research.
4. Communicate verbally and in writing about research methods.
Course Requirements:
Required Text:
Instead of assigning a dry methods text, I opted for a collection of research articles that, in
my opinion, do a good job of demonstrating the different concepts and methodologies we
will be covering this semester. These required readings will be available on UCMCrops. To
access them, log onto UCMCrops (http://ucmcrops.ucmerced.edu), and find our class,
which is labeled “S13-SOC 015 01”. On the left side of the webpage, you’ll see a menu of
links. Look for the “Resources” tab under “COURSE TOOLS” and click on it. You should
now see a folder labeled “Readings.” Click on the folder, locate the assigned reading
(organized by the first author’s last names), download the files, and print them out. Most
files are in .pdf format; you will need the appropriate software to view it. One such program
is Adobe Acrobat Reader and can be downloaded at:
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
You are expected to read all assigned readings before they are listed for class. If you have any
questions regarding these readings, please meet with me. You will be responsible for the
material covered in the readings as well as lecture material.
We will spend some time each week addressing the assigned material. Therefore, you should
come to class prepared to discuss the readings assigned for that day. Anticipate spending 1-3
hours in study for every hour spent in class meetings. I understand that some of these articles
are statistically and/or theoretically complicated. In these cases, I urge you to do your best
to get a feel for the method used and the relationship between the method and the
argument. I am happy to help interpret statistics or explain theoretical arguments if you
bring questions to my office hours. Additionally, I will provide a brief introduction and
guide to the next day’s readings at the end of each class.
Note: If you are interested in acquiring a “traditional” methods textbook to use as a
reference, I will be glad to provide you with suggestions of books to consult.
Attendance:
I expect all students to attend class, be on time, not to leave early, and be prepared by
reading the assigned material. Also, no makeup exams will be given, except in the gravest
of (documented) emergencies.
My notes will not be made available to students. Therefore, it might be useful for you
to get the name and email address of at least one classmate so that if you need to miss class
you can obtain a copy of the notes and announcements. There is space to write this contact
information later in this syllabus. I recommend getting this information after our second or
third class meeting.
Participation:
Participation is an important part of this class, as I expect there to be considerable in-class
discussion. You should come to class prepared to ask questions, generate ideas, and discuss
the assigned readings. Although participation is not formally graded, it may be considered if
your grade is borderline (e.g. B+/A-). Thus, your contributions, including the
thoughtfulness of your comments and active engagement in the class, are encouraged.
Exams:
There will be three multiple-choice exams in this course (February 21, March 21, and May
9). Exams will cover lecture material as well as all of the reading material, even if it was not
discussed in class. The exams will not be cumulative with regard to the topics covered in each
test, but will build on your knowledge of sociological perspectives and methods.
Make-ups:
Make-up exams will not be given. The only exceptions to this policy are extreme and
unusual circumstances, and these must be documented. If you cannot take the exam for
some reason, you must contact me prior to the exam. With my permission, you may take
the exam at a later date. If there is an emergency the day of the exam, contact me before the
exam is given.
Discussion Section:
In addition to class, you are required to attend discussion on Fridays. These sections will
provide you with the opportunity to review aspects of the methods we discuss in class.
Occasionally, you will have a short exercise to complete during each lab period. These
assignments are designed so that they can be completed at the end of the discussion period.
There will be no discussion sections on exams days, resulting in a total of 10 lab assignments
over the course of the semester. Attendance during the discussion period will be taken, and
you cannot make up a discussion assignment if you were absent in discussion that day. The
labs are worth 10% of your course grade.
Grading:
Exam 1—Feb. 21
Exam 2—Mar. 21
Exam 3—May 9
Discussion Section
Total
30%
30%
30%
10%
100%
Course grades will be determined according to the following grading scale:
A+
A
A-
97-100%
93-96
90-92
B+ 87-89
B
83-86
B- 80-82
C+ 77-79
C
73-76
C- 70-72
D+
D
DF
67-69
63-66
60-62
Less than
60
If you wish to contest any grading on an exam or assignment, you must submit a written
request for re-grading within 1 week of receiving your graded exam/assignment. Your
request should specifically outline why you think your answer is correct and which course
material you are basing this claim upon. If it is deemed reasonable, your entire
exam/assignment will be re-graded. This means you could either lose or gain points (or your
grade could remain the same). This policy does not apply to simple errors of calculation
which you are welcome to alert us to more informally (but you must do so within a week of
receiving your graded exam).
Course Guidelines and Policies:
Office Hours:
I encourage all students to meet with me to discuss their progress in this course. However,
rather than set aside an open block of time each for meetings, I find that it is better for both
of us if we make an appointment. To that end, if you would like to meet with, please email
me to set up a time.
Class Discussion and Participation:
I expect students to participate in class discussion. We will be discussing a variety of social
issues in this class. Each person comes to class with a unique background and perspective; I
encourage students to draw on that perspective when discussing the sociological issues in
class. Please keep in mind that sharing opinions and experiences is a valuable but sometimes
uncomfortable experience, and everyone must make the commitment to create an
atmosphere of respect for each person’s contribution.
Honor Code:
If you plagiarize, or otherwise cheat, on any exam or assignment, you will fail this course and
your transcript will note your violation of the academic honesty policy. Plagiarism involves
intentionally representing someone else’s words or ideas as your own. If you use outside
sources—either in the form of quotes or ideas—you must cite them to indicate where they
come from. Please see or email me if you need help with citations. When in doubt, ask! If
you cheat, or let someone else represent your work as their own, you are in violation of the
student code of conduct. You will fail this course and your failing grade will be identified on
your student transcript as resulting from academic dishonesty. Please consult the office of
student life web site if you require further information: http://studentlife.ucmerced.edu/
(then go to “Student Judicial Affairs” and look at the “academic honesty policy”). Your
enrollment in this course indicates your willingness to comply with all requirements and
policies.
Student Responsibility:
Students must take responsibility for their performance in this class. Students are to come
prepared, to engage in class assignments and discussions, and initiate conversations with the
instructor regarding issues and questions about the course. Course notes will not be made
available to students, it is your responsibility to keep good notes over the lectures, including
the days you miss class.
To this end, it might be useful for you to get the name and email address of at least one
classmate so that if you must miss class, you can get the notes, and be caught up on any
announcements made in class. Understand, though, that these people are not responsible
for providing you with any pertinent information. Whether or not they choose to is solely
up to their discretion.
Name:__________________________ E-mail:____________________________
Name:__________________________ E-mail:____________________________
Incompletes:
In accordance with departmental and university policies, I will not grant an incomplete
except for unusual circumstances.
Special Needs:
Students with special needs that might impact their ability to complete the course should
inform me as soon as possible and provide appropriate documentation from university
services. I will do my best to accommodate special needs.
Class Schedule:
Note: This is a tentative schedule. Readings and topics may be adjusted based on how
quickly we cover material. If there are changes to this schedule, you will receive adequate
notice. Exam dates will not change. You are expected to read the assigned material by
the beginning of class on the date listed.
Week 1
Day Topic
Readings
Jan 22 T
The Research Design Syllabus (SERIOUSLY)
Jan 24 Th
Week 2
Stack and Gundlach
Jan 29 T
Causality
Jan 31 Th
Week 3
Freese et al.; Regnerus
Feb 05 T
Measurement
Feb 07 Th
Week 4
J. Wright; Sherkat; Allen
Feb 12 T
Research Ethics
Feb 14 Th
Week 5
R. Wright et al.
Feb 19 T
Sampling
Feb 21 Th Exam 1
Week 6
Pager et al.; Krysan et al.
Feb 26 T
Experiments/QuasiFeb 28 Th Experiments
Week 7
Lottes et al.; Desmond and Turley
Mar 05 T
Survey Research
Mar 07 Th
Week 8
Jerolmack; Goffman
Mar 12 T
Field Research
Mar 14 Th
Week 9
Tyson et al.
Mar 19 T
In-Depth Interviews
Mar 21 Th Exam 2
Week 10
Day Topic
Mar 26 T
No Class
Mar 28 Th No Class
Week 11
Grauerholz and Pescosolido; Dagaz and Harger
Apr 02 T
Content Analysis
Apr 04 Th
Week 12
Apr 09
Apr 11
Week 13
Apr 16
Apr 18
Week 14
Apr 23
Apr 25
Week 15
Apr 30
May 02
Week 16
May 07
May 09
Day Topic
T
Historical and
Th Archival Research
Readings
McAdam; Soule and Earle
T
Th
Secondary Data
Analysis
McPherson et al.; Fischer; Hamilton
T
Th
Feminist
Methodologies
DeVault
T
Th
The Uses of Social
Research
Gans
T
Th
Catch-Up/Review
Exam 3