Learn foundational sociological research methods through a comprehensive 12-week course exploring theoretical frameworks, methodological approaches, and analytical techniques in social science research. Master key concepts including sociological imagination, social facts, reflexive sociology, comparative methods, feminist approaches, and both quantitative and qualitative research paradigms. Examine philosophical roots of social research, fieldwork evolution, and rules for observing and explaining social phenomena. Develop skills in empirical research methodology, data analysis, and theoretical interpretation while understanding the intersection of theory and personal reality. Progress through modules covering everything from the scientific nature of sociology to advanced topics in data analysis, including the combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, serendipity patterns, and methodological implications of women's history.
Overview
Syllabus
Week
Module No.
Title of Module
1
1.
Science of Society is possible? And Elements of Theory
2.
Philosophical Roots of Social Research,
3.
Logic of Inquiry and the Nature of Theoretical System
4.
Concept of Sociological Imagination
2
5.
Sociological Imagination and Sociological Research
6.
Evolution of Fieldwork Methods and Practices in Sociology
7.
What is Social Fact?
8.
Rules for the distinction of the Normal from the Pathological
3
9.
Rules for the constitution of Social types
10.
Rules of Observation of Social Facts
11.
Rules of the explanation of Social facts
12.
Rules for establishing Sociological Proofs
13.
Theoretical Concept of Reflexivity- Veena
4
14.
Social Theory and Personal Reality
15.
Component of Social Worlds permitted or unpermitted
16.
Towards a Reflexive Sociology
17.
Sociology and the Liberal Technologies
18.
Reflexive Sociology and Radical Sociology
5
19.
Reflexive Sociology as a work Ethics- Veena
20.
History and Biography Slippage- Veena
21.
Reflexive Sociology looks at itself- Veena
22.
Comparative Method
23.
Some observation on Comparative Method
Comparative Method and Scientific Study of Society
6
24.
Differences and Otherness
25.
Typification vs Classification
26.
Conflicting Forces and Counter parts
27.
Comparison of whole Society
28.
The Comparative Method and the Standpoint of Investigator
7
29.
Why Feministic Approach?
30.
Method , Methodology and Epistemology
31.
Problems with adding Women
32.
What’s New in Feminist Approach ?
33.
New Purposes of Social Sciences for Women New Subject Matter
8
34.
Two final Issues
35.
Methodological Implications of Women’s History
36.
Sociological theories on Empirical Research Methodology
37.
General Sociological Orientation
38.
Analysis of Sociological Concepts
9
39.
Post factum Sociological Interpretations
40.
Empirical Generalization in Sociology/ Sociological Theories
41.
Formal Derivations and Codifications
42.
Empirical Research on Sociological Theories:
The Theoretical Functions of Research
43.
Serendipity Pattern
10
44.
Recasting of Theory
45.
Refocusing of Theoretical Interest
46.
The Clarification of Concepts
47.
Analyzing Data: Quantitative and Qualitative
48.
Nature of Quantitative Research: Positivist Position
11
49.
Positivism and Quantitative Research
50.
Some Preoccupations in Quantitative Research
51.
Nature of Qualitative Research
52.
Intellectual Underpinnings of Qualitative Research
53.
Characteristics of Qualitative Research-
12
54.
Problems in Qualitative Research
55.
Combining Qualitative and Quantitative
56.
Analysis of Quantitative Data
57.
Analysis of Qualitative Data
Taught by
Dr. Sarika Dixit
