Course

Introduction to Sociological Research

Faculty
Humanities & Social Sciences
Department
Sociology
Course Code
SOCI 2260
Credits
3.00
Semester Length
15
Max Class Size
35
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Seminar
Course Designation
None
Industry Designation
None
Typically Offered
To be determined

Overview

Course Description
A practical introduction to the range of methods employed by sociologists in the collection and analysis of empirical data. Includes critical analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of a variety of qualitative and quantitative research methods.
Course Content

1. Introduction
a. Science and sociological investigation
b. Theory and explanation in sociological research
c. Ethical issues and social research
d. Social, political and financial constraints of social research
2. The Structure of Social Research
a. Research Design
b. Concepts and variables
c. Measurement
d. Quantitative research
e. Qualitative research
3. Sociological Methods
a. Experiments
b. Surveys
c. Field research – semi-structured interviews, focus groups and observation
d. Unobtrusive research
4. Data Analysis
a. Simple and complex relationships
b. Using statistics and software
c. Analysing qualitative data
d. Writing Research Reports

  1. Introduction
    • Science and sociological investigation
    • Theory and explanation in sociological research
    • Ethical issues and social research
    • Social, political and financial constraints of social research
  2. The Structure of Social Research
    • Research Design
    • Concepts and variables
    • Measurement
    • Quantitative research
    • Qualitative research
  3. Sociological Methods
    • Experiments
    • Surveys
    • Field research – semi-structured interviews, focus groups and observation
    • Unobtrusive research
  4. Data Analysis
    • Simple and complex relationships
    • Using statistics and software
    • Analysing qualitative data
    • Writing Research Reports

Learning Activities

The course will employ a variety of instructional methods to accomplish its objectives, including some of the 
following: a combination of lectures, discussion groups, working groups and seminar presentations. The course 
will involve students in the design and implementation of an actual research project on either an individual,
group or class basis.

The course will employ a variety of instructional methods to accomplish its objectives, including some of the following: a combination of lectures, discussion groups, working groups and seminar presentations. The course will involve students in the design and implementation of an actual research project on either an individual, group or class basis.

Means of Assessment

 

Evaluation will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College 
policy. The instructor will provide a written course outline with specific criteria during the first week of classes.
An example of a possible evaluation scheme would be:
Mid Term 15%
Literature Review 15%
Individual/Group Project 25%
Research Report 25%
Final Exam 20% 

Evaluation will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy. The instructor will provide a written course outline with specific criteria during the first week of classes.

Instructors may use a student’s record of attendance and/or level of active participation in the course as part of the student’s graded performance. Where this occurs, expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation will be clearly defined in the Instructor Course Outline.

An example of a possible evaluation scheme would be:

Mid Term  15%
Literature Review  15%
Individual/Group Project  25%
Research Report  25%
Final Exam  20%
Total 100%
Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of the course the successful student will be able to:
1. show an understanding of the philosophical, theoretical and ethical issues involved in doing sociological 
research
2. distinguish between different sociological approaches to research
3. discuss the practical and policy implications of social research
4. locate and use a variety of research resources
5. evaluate research design and design a simple research project 
6. gather data using a variety of different techniques, both qualitative and quantitative
7. provide a simple analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data
8. write a research report.

At the conclusion of the course the successful student will be able to:

  1. show an understanding of the philosophical, theoretical and ethical issues involved in doing sociological research
  2. distinguish between different sociological approaches to research
  3. discuss the practical and policy implications of social research
  4. locate and use a variety of research resources
  5. evaluate research design and design a simple research project 
  6. gather data using a variety of different techniques, both qualitative and quantitative
  7. provide a simple analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data
  8. write a research report.

Textbook Materials

Texts will be updated periodically. A typical example would be:
Babbie, Earl and Lucia Benaquisto (2014) Fundamentals of Social Research Third Canadian edition Nelson 
Education

Texts will be updated periodically. A typical example would be:

  • Babbie, Earl and Lucia Benaquisto (2014) Fundamentals of Social Research Third Canadian edition Nelson Education

Requisites

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer Details for SOCI 2260
Athabasca University (AU) AU SOCI 2XX (3)
Capilano University (CAPU) CAPU SOC 2XX (3)
College of the Rockies (COTR) COTR SOCI 2XX (3)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) KPU SOCI 2260 (3)
Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) NVIT FNSS 212 (3) or NVIT FNWS 211 (3) or NVIT INST 290 (3)
North Island College (NIC) NIC SOC 220 (3)
Okanagan College (OC) No credit
Okanagan College (OC) OC SOCI 218 (3)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU SA 255 (3)
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU SOCI 2720 (3)
Trinity Western University (TWU) TWU SOCI 2XX (3)
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) UBCO SOCI_O 2nd (3)
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) UBCV SOCI_V 217 (3)
University of Northern BC (UNBC) UNBC SOSC 2XX (3)
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) UFV SOC 255 (3)
University of Victoria (UVIC) UVIC SOCI 211 (1.5)
Vancouver Island University (VIU) VIU SOCI 250 (3)

Course Offerings

Winter 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum Seats
35
Currently Enrolled
10
Remaining Seats:
25
On Waitlist
0
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N3408
Times:
Start Time
12:30
-
End Time
15:20