POL6001 Advanced Research MethodsBahçeşehir UniversityDegree Programs SOCIOLOGYGeneral Information For StudentsDiploma SupplementErasmus Policy StatementNational QualificationsBologna Commission
SOCIOLOGY
Bachelor TR-NQF-HE: Level 6 QF-EHEA: First Cycle EQF-LLL: Level 6

Course Introduction and Application Information

Course Code Course Name Semester Theoretical Practical Credit ECTS
POL6001 Advanced Research Methods Fall 3 0 3 9
This catalog is for information purposes. Course status is determined by the relevant department at the beginning of semester.

Basic information

Language of instruction: English
Type of course: Non-Departmental Elective
Course Level: Bachelor’s Degree (First Cycle)
Mode of Delivery: Face to face
Course Coordinator : Assoc. Prof. ESRA ALBAYRAKOĞLU
Course Lecturer(s): Prof. Dr. YILMAZ ESMER
Recommended Optional Program Components: none
Course Objectives: The course will attempt to answer the questions on the neutrality and the difficulties of research. Attempting to answer those questions and the various issues underlying them is the primary objective of the course. This will be achieved through combining a theoretical and practical approach to the study of qualitative methodology.
The second objective of the course is to explore both the “hows” or research and, at the same time, examine the underlying assumptions and values of qualitative research practices.
The third and overarching objective of this course is to examine not only how one goes about “doing” those aspects of one’s work but also delve into a variety of ethical, epistemological, ontological and methodological issues, as well as improving critical thinking and increasing methodological knowledge inherent in that “doing.”

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
Increased awareness of ethnographic work, including conceptualizing a study, observations, interviewing, analysis, and textualization.
 To learn to attend to the politics of what we do and do not do (as researchers).
 Increase critical thinking skills. Demonstrate this by seriously considering multiple viewpoints and perspectives in class discussions, in-class writing, group work, and the
final paper.
 Apply course material to your own research. Demonstrate this through participation in in-class discussions and activities, and in applying course concepts to class assignments.
 Become active in the process of seeking, analyzing, and synthesizing information.

Course Content

In the last two decades, emerging theories in qualitative research have drawn attention to the complexities inherent in research.
In light of these theories, research can no longer be regarded unproblematic, objective, or value free, where data is neutrally and naturally collected, interpreted and textualized by disinterested researchers. Rather, research methodology has become a problematized and contested terrain depicting a double crisis of representation and legitimation. What is (and why) this double crisis? And what implications might it have for the field of qualitative research and for the researcher working (in) that field?

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week Subject Related Preparation
1) An Introduction to Inquiry Academic Articles and related books
2) Measurement of Abstract Concepts Academic Articles and related books
3) Measurement of Abstract Concepts Academic Articles and related books
4) Observation, Sampling Academic Articles and related books
5) Observation, Sampling Academic Articles and related books
6) Observation, Sampling Academic Articles and related books
7) Quantitative Design and Analysis Academic Articles and related books
8) Quantitative Design and Analysis Academic Articles and related books
9) Quantitative Design and Analysis Academic Articles and related books
10) Qualitative Design and Analysis Academic Articles and related books
11) Qualitative Design and Analysis Academic Articles and related books
12) Qualitative Design and Analysis Academic Articles and related books
13) Review of the course Academic Articles and related books
14) Review of the course Academic Articles and related books

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks: Van Maanen, John. 1899. Tales of the Field: On Writing Ethnography. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Becker, Howard. 1998. Tricks of the Trade. How to Think About Your Research While Doing It. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
References: Mark M. Lanier (Editor), Catherine A. Ford (Editor), Jonathan C. Reid (Editor). 2013, Advanced Research Methods for the Social Sciences. San Diego: Cognella Academic Publishing

Evaluation System

Semester Requirements Number of Activities Level of Contribution
Attendance 14 % 20
Homework Assignments 5 % 30
Final 1 % 50
Total % 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK % 50
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK % 50
Total % 100

ECTS / Workload Table

Activities Number of Activities Workload
Course Hours 14 42
Application 14 56
Study Hours Out of Class 14 98
Paper Submission 1 1
Final 1 3
Total Workload 200

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

No Effect 1 Lowest 2 Low 3 Average 4 High 5 Highest
           
Program Outcomes Level of Contribution
1) To learn and compare major sociology perspectives, both classical and contemporary, and apply all of them to analysis of social conditions.
2) To be able to identify the basic methodological approaches in building sociological and anthropological knowledge at local and global levels
3) To be able to use theoretical and applied knowledge acquired in the fields of statistics in social sciences.
4) To have a basic knowledge of other disciplines (including psychology, history, political science, communication studies and literature) that can contribute to sociology and to be able to make use of this knowledge in analyzing sociological processes
5) To have a knowledge and practice of scientific and ethical principles in collecting, interpreting and publishing sociological data also develop ability how to share this data with experts and lay people, using effective communication skills
6) To develop competence in analyzing and publishing sociological knowledge by using computer software for quantitative and qualitative analysis; and develop an attitute for learning new techniques in these fields.
7) To identify and to have a knowledge of the theories related to urban and rural sociology and demography, and political sociology, sociology of gender, sociology of body, visual sociology, sociology of work, sociology of religion, sociology of knowledge and sociology of crime.
8) To have knowledge of how sociology is positioned as a scientific discipline from a philosophical and historical perspective
9) To have the awareness of social issues in Turkish society, to develop critical perspective in analysing these issues and to have a knowledge of the works of Turkish sociologists and to be able to transfer this knowledge
10) To have the awareness of social issues and global societal processes and to apply sociological analysis to development and social responsibility projects
11) To have the ability to define a research question, design a research project and complete a written report for various fields of sociology, either as an individual or as a team member.
12) To be able to transfer the knowledge gained in the areas of sociology to the level of secondary school.