Information Package
baskent.edu.tr

Master's of Sociology with Thesis

SOC505

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH METHODS AND TECHNIQUES

Course Code
SOC505
Semester
First Term (Fall)
Theory+Practice
3 + 0
ECTS
10
Course TypeCompulsory Course
Course LevelMaster's Degree With Thesis
Year of Study1
SemesterFirst Term (Fall)
ECTS10
Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, the students;

  1. Learns scientific research methods by assimilating scientific thinking and scientific research logic.
  2. They can prepare a research proposal with all its stages.
  3. They have detailed information about qualitative and quantitative research methods and techniques.
Mode of DeliveryFace to face
PrerequisitesNo
Recommended Optional Programme Components
Course DescriptionIn this course, scientific research and the logic of scientific thinking are conveyed to the students. Detailed information on qualitative and quantitative research methods and techniques is given and students are taught all stages of scientific research.
Course Contents
WEEK TOPICS
1st Week Knowledge, Types of Knowledge (Everyday, Scientific and Philosophical Knowledge), Science, Elements and Characteristics of Science (Positivity, Observation, Rationality) Classification of Sciences (Bacon, Comte and Güvenç's Classifications), Development of Science and Ethics.
2nd Week Definition and Importance of Research, Features Required in Science and Research (Objectivity, Relativity, Authenticity, Publicity, Reality, Systematicity, Logicity, Functionality, Selectivity, Hypothesis, Generalizability, Accuracy, Accumulation), Basic Purposes in Science and Research (Explanation, Prediction, Control), Science and Research Assumptions (Regularity, Generality, Continuity, Necessity, Capabilities), Research and Ethics.
3rd Week Ways of Obtaining Knowledge (Individual Experiences, Authorities, Deduction, Induction, Hypothetical Deduction).
4th Week Scientific Method, Its Operation and Stages (The Emergence of a Need or Feeling a Problem, Identifying the Place of Difficulty and the Problem, Some Solutions - Suggesting Hypotheses (Hypotheses), Detection of Verifiers, Testing of Hypotheses.
5th Week Types and Methods of Research: By Environment (Laboratory and Field Studies), By Levels (Theoretical and Applied Research) By Method or Time (Historical, Descriptive and Experimental) According to Control (Survey, Experimental).
6th Week Sub-Problems, Concepts of Hypothesis and Assumption, Data, Variables (Dependent, Independent, Quantitative, Qualitative, Continuous, Discontinuous, Experimental, Undesirable Variable).
7th Week Midterm.
8th Week Population, Sampling, Sampling Techniques (Chance-Random, Systematic, Clustering, Stratification Sampling), Criteria in Data and Findings, Validity (Internal Validity, External Validity) and Reliability.
9th Week Report Writing Techniques in Research, Footnotes, Citations, Research Ethics, How to Write an Article?
10th Week Presentation and criticism of the reviewed articles, research projects and presentations of the articles written.
11th Week Presentation and criticism of the reviewed articles, research projects and presentations of the articles written.
12th Week Presentation and criticism of the reviewed articles, research projects and presentations of the articles written.
13th Week Presentation and criticism of the reviewed articles, research projects and presentations of the articles written.
14th Week General Evaluation
Recommended or Required ReadingAtaöv, T. (1989). Bilimsel Araştırma El Kitabı. Ankara: Savaş Yayınları.
Kaptan, S. (t.y.). Bilimsel Araştırma Teknikleri ve İstatistik Yöntemleri. Ankara.
Karasar, N. (1986). Bilimsel Araştırma Yöntemi-Kavramlar, İlkeler, Teknikler. Ankara.
Bailey, K. D. (1987). Methods of Social Research. NewYork: The Free Press.
Bickman, L. ve D. J. Rog. (Eds.) (1998). Handbook of Applied Social Research Methods. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.
Debus, M. (1995). Methodological Review: A Handbook for Excellence in Focus Group Research. Washington: HEALTHCOM.
Hansen, A.; S. Cottle; R. Negrine; ve C. Newbold. (1998). Mass Communication Research Methods. London: MacMillan Press Ltd.
Merton, R.K.; J.S. Coleman and P.H.Rossi. (1979). Qualitative and Quantitative Social Research. New York: The Free Press.
Neuman, W. L. (1997). Social Research Methods. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Oppenheim, A.N. (1986). Questionnaire Design and Attitude Measurement. England: Gower.
Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
  • Lecture
  • Discussion
  • Questions/Answers
  • Presentation
  • Report Preparation
  • Case Study
  • Practice
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Quantity Percentage (%)
Mid-term 1 30
Assignment 6 20
Total(%) 50
Contribution of In-term Studies to Overall Grade(%) 50
Contribution of Final Examination to Overall Grade(%) 50
Total(%) 100
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration (Hour) Total Workload (Hour)
Midterm exam 1 2 2
Preparation for Quiz 0 0 0
Individual or group work 14 12 168
Preparation for Final exam 1 20 20
Course hours 14 3 42
Preparation for Midterm exam 1 16 16
Laboratory (including preparation) 0 0 0
Final exam 1 2 2
Homework 6 10 60
Total Work Load310
Total Work Load / 30 (h)10.33
ECTS Credit of the Course10
Language of InstructionTurkish
Work Placement(s)No

Programme Qualifications / Learning Outcomes

LO1 LO2 LO3
K1 X X X
K2 X X X
K3
K4 X X
K5
K6 X X X
K7 X X X
K8
K9
K10 X X
K11
K12
K13 X X X
K14
K15
K16
K17
K18 X X