326-309 Research Methods in the Social Sciences

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Objectives:

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• describe current research practice in the social sciences, including analysis of the purpose and place of qualitative and quantitative data collection, preparation and analysis;

• demonstrate the ability to interpret statistical data;

• conduct a critical analysis of texts;

• effectively communicate research findings through written and oral reports.

Content:

This subject introduces students to the research methods in the social sciences using historical material. Topics include collecting, preparing and analysing qualitative and quantitative historical data; interviews and surveys; the use of archival and library techniques; skills in the critical interpretation of data; the development of testable hypothesis in the social sciences; the use of economic and other theory in formulating solutions to social science problems; the application of statistical techniques to qualitative and quantitative data; the writing and oral presentation of research essays and reports in the social sciences.

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