Courses

There are to pass two compulsory modules with a total of 20 ECTS-Credits and an elective module with a total of 10 ECTS-Credits.

Minor: Methods of Empirical Social Research (30 ECTS-Credits)

Learning Outcome: (1) Graduates of the minor "Methods in Empirical Social Research" know the characteristics of qualitative and quantitative social research, are aware of the special features of data collection and data evaluation and are capable of understanding basic social-scientific methods (such as questionnaires, interviews, analysis of content, discourse, text and network) and statistical procedures (hypothesis tests and regression analyses) and apply them to the solution of pertinent problems from their field of research. (2) The graduates are able - to develop social science research designs and implement them in the context of their own field of study, - to select and apply methods in social science in the context of their own field of study - to collect and evaluate data independently.

The minor 'Methods of Empirical Research' covering 30 ECTS-Credits can be selected by degree students of Bachelor's programmes at the University of Innsbruck, providing the relevant curriculum allows for the option to pass a minor. The minor can be passed, providing the availability of places. Students of the Bachelor's Programme in Political Science and the Bachelor's Programme in Sociology may not pass the minor 'Methods of Empirical Research'.

Compulsory Module 1: Introduction to Empirical Social Research (10 ECTS-Credits, 4 h)

Prerequisites for registration: none

Learning Outcome: The students can characterise the basics of empirical research. They can assign the most important qualitative and quantitative survey methods to the respective epistemological and methodological background and decide which research questions require which methods. They are able to critically evaluate existing empirical studies and independently carry out the first phases of a research process (formulation of a research question, data collection, method reflection) qualitatively and / or quantitatively or in terms of method triangulation.

Compulsory Module 2: Statistics (10 ECTS-Credits, 4 SSt.)

Prerequisites for registration: none

Learning Outcome: The students can understand the logic of the current statistical procedures and approaches in empirical research in the social sciences and understand their application in the context of empirical research. They will be able to critically question statistical statements and carry out simple data analyses independently.

Elective Module 1: Applied Methods - Enhanced Level (10 ECTS-Credits, 2 h)

Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 1 and/or compulsory module 2.

Learning Outcome: The students are able to independently develop and carry out a research design to answer a scientific question. The research design includes both data collection and data analysis. Students learn to apply valid and replicable research.

Elective Module 2: Qualitative Social Research (10 ECTS-Credits, 4 h) (no courses)

Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 1.

Learning Outcome: The students understand the logic of the qualitative research paradigm. They know the most common qualitative methods and can use them to answer a sociological research question. Qualitative data can be evaluated methodically in a controlled manner and the results can be clearly presented in the form of a research report. Overall, they are able to draft a qualitative research design and independently carry out the entire research process from the research question to the report.

Elective Module 3: Multivariate Analysis Methods and Statistics - Advanced Study (10 ECTS-Credits, 4 h) (no courses)

Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 1 and/or compulsory module 2.

Learning Outcome: The students are able to investigate a research question with quantitative data based on theory and to apply structure-testing procedures to test hypotheses. The students can independently carry out the most common multivariate analysis methods with statistical software, interpret the results in a sociologically meaningful way and present them clearly with tables and graphics in research reports and presentations. The positive completion of the module enables the critical reception of quantitative-oriented contributions in the social science literature. Furthermore, the participants get their first insights into the possible uses of "big data" for the social sciences.

Notes:

There may still be changes in the courses offered as well as room allocation and course dates.
The course descriptions found in the English version of the course catalogue are for informational purposes only. Authoritative information can be found in the "Vorlesungsverzeichnis" (German version of the course catalogue).

Booking periods for courses