LFU:online

Students acquire the ability to deal with fundamentals of empirical studies. They understand to allocate the most important qualitative and quantitative survey methods to the respective scientific-theoretical and methodological background and chose the necessary methods for each research question. They are able to deal with current empirical studies and to apply the first steps of a research process (formulation of a research issue, data collection, method reflection) autonomously in terms of quality and/or quantity or method.

The most important content-related learning objective of the seminar is to give students a basic introduction to the possibilities of empirical social research. In particular, qualitative and quantitative survey instruments are explained. Students will receive information on how to approach your own scientific questions and the necessary methods which to apply. Empirical "mini-projects" (qualitative and quantitative) are designed and methodically implemented in group work. The seminar focuses on the following questions: How does the scientific research process work? What are the differences between quantitative and qualitative methods? How is social science data collected and what are the differences? What interview techniques are there? How can the data generated in this way be evaluated?

Development of a questionnaire; analysis of collected qualitative data. The students will give own presentations of the “mini project” results. We will talk about data interpretations, and we will do practical exercises. Text reading and active participation are expected (including writing protocols of the group work). 

a.) Participation + presentation and smaller tasks such as moderations and protocols in small groups (20%)

Bortz, Jürgen (2005). Statistik für Human- und Sozialwissenschaftler. S.1-12.

Diekmann, Andreas (2007). Empirische Sozialforschung. Grundlagen, Methoden, Anwendungen. Reinbek: Rowohlt. S. 18-40.

Kühnel, Steffen-M.; Krebs, Dagmar (2007): Statistik für die Sozialwissenschaften. Grundlagen, Methoden, Anwendungen. Orig.-Ausg., 4. Aufl. Reinbek bei Hamburg: Rowohlt-Taschenbuch-Verlag (55639).

Schnell, Rainer; Esser, Elke; Hill, Paul B. (2011): Methoden der empirischen Sozialforschung. 9., unveränd. Aufl. München [u.a.]: Oldenbourg (Lehrbuch).

Rosenthal, G. (2005): Interpretative Sozialforschung. In der Reihe: Grundlagentexte Sozio-logie. Hg. von Klaus Hurrelmann. Weinheim und München: Juventa.

No prerequisites