Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
50575:[2025 Fall]Introduction to Social Research (P) 2025 Fall Mon2 College　Of　Policy　Science SUZUKI AI 2

Campus

OIC

Class Venue

AS462

Language

英語

Course Outline and Method

This course is designed to introduce students to social science research and to develop their skills to conduct social scientific research. The course will begin with a broad overview of social science research, then, subsequent sessions will cover research design, data collection, data analysis, report writing and oral presentation.

Emphasis is on practical experience on social science research through lectures and research assignments.

Keywords: social science, social research, research design, quantitative research,

Student Attainment Objectives

On completing the course students will be able to:

1. Understand the basics of social science research, various methods,research designs, data collection, data analysis and report writing.
2. Obtain practical experience on conducting social science research through research assignments

Recommended Preparatory Course

Course Schedule

Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) Theme
Keyword, References and Supplementary Information
1

 The nature and process of social research

Introduction, elements of the process of social research
【+R-Jugyo】Information for “+R-Jugyo” will be posted on manaba+R.

2

Research designs

Experimental, cross-sectionoal, longitudinal, case study, and comparative designs

3

Getting started

Reviewing the literature, searching the existing literature

4

The nature of quantitative research

Steps in quantitative research, concepts and measurements

5

Sampling in quantitative research

Survey research, sampling, sample size, issues in online surveys

6

Structured interviewing

Conducting interviews, problems with structured interviewing

7

Using existing data

Secondary analysis, data archive, official statistics

8

Quantitative data analysis

Variables, univariate analysis, bivariate analysis, multivariate analysis

9

Using IBM SPSS statistics

SPSS, data viewer, histogram, chi-square, Pearson's r

10

Writing up social research

Start early, be persuasive, get feedback, structure your writing

11-13

Oral presentation

Presentation on the research project, peer-reviewing, getting feedbacks

14

Project report writing

Write the research project and submit

Class Format

14 classes on Face to Face basis

Recommendations for Private Study

Students are expected to complete research assignments.It requires to conduct simple research activities, read materials, and review in-class materials and discussion.

Grade Evaluation Method

Kind Percentage Grading Criteria etc.
Final Examination (Written)

Report Examination
(A report to be submitted by the unified deadline)

Exams and/or Reports other than those stated above, and Continuous Assessment　
(Evaluation of Everyday Performance in Class)		 100

Class attendance: 10%
Four short reports in research activities: 20%
Oral presentation and feedback to other students: 30%
One project report: 40%

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Textbooks

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
Social Research Methods Alan Bryman Oxford University Press

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

Reference Books

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
Conducting Research in Conservation: Social Science Methods and Practice Helen Newing Routledge

Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）

Web Pages for Reference

How to Communicate with the Instructor In and Out of Class(Including Instructor Contact Information)

Talk with Students

Other Comments

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