Sociological Research Methods - I

By Dr. Sarika Dixit | Mahatma Gandhi University, Meghalaya

Learners enrolled: 235

Hello everyone,

I am delighted to introduce a MOOC course for undergraduate students Sociological Research Methods I. This course is designed to build your foundational understanding of sociological research, with a special focus on the logic, perspectives, and methods that drive sociological inquiry.

What You Will Learn

In this course, you’ll explore the essential principles and methodologies that form the backbone of sociological research. By the end of this course, you’ll have a thorough understanding of how sociologists approach the study of society, the philosophical roots of social research, and the different methods used to collect, analyze, and interpret data.

We’ll begin with Unit 1: The Logic of Social Research, where you will learn what sociological research is, why it’s a science, and the basic elements of theory that guide social research. We’ll also explore the concept of the sociological imagination—the ability to connect personal experiences to larger social structures and historical contexts, which is essential in any sociological inquiry. Further, we’ll discuss objectivity in social sciences, examining what constitutes a social fact, and the rules for observing, explaining, and establishing sociological proofs.

Reflexivity is another crucial concept we’ll cover, where we delve into the role of personal bias and reflexive thinking in sociology. You’ll learn about reflexive sociology, where researchers critically examine their own perspectives, and we’ll discuss how this reflexivity can shape the outcomes of sociological research.

In Unit 2: Methodological Perspectives, we’ll investigate different methods sociologists use to understand societies. You’ll learn about the comparative method, which allows researchers to identify similarities and differences across societies and understand societal structures in a broader context. We’ll also explore feminist methodologies, which address how traditional research methods can overlook women’s experiences and how incorporating feminist perspectives enriches sociological understanding.

Unit 3: Modes of Inquiry will introduce you to the practical aspects of conducting sociological research. You’ll gain insight into both quantitative and qualitative methods, understanding the differences, intellectual foundations, and typical challenges of each approach. You’ll also learn about combining both approaches to create a more comprehensive analysis of social phenomena. This unit will cover data analysis, equipping you with skills to interpret both qualitative and quantitative data accurately and effectively.

Course Structure: This course carries 5 credits and is structured over 12 weeks, with a total of 57 lectures. Each lecture will engage you in various activities across four learning quadrants:

1. Video Content – Engaging lectures to explain key concepts and theories.

2. E-content – Supplementary readings and resources to deepen your understanding.

3. Discussions – Interactive discussions to clarify concepts and share insights.

4. Assessments – Regular assessments to track and strengthen your understanding.

Why This Course is Important

Understanding sociological research methods is essential for anyone interested in analyzing and interpreting social patterns and human behavior. Whether you aim to pursue a career in sociology, social policy, or any field involving people and communities, this course will give you the critical thinking and methodological skills needed to approach social research with scientific rigor. Sociological research plays a pivotal role in shaping policies, challenging societal norms, and enhancing our collective knowledge of the human experience.

Through this course, you’ll not only learn the theories but also understand how to apply them in real-life research, empowering you to analyze and contribute meaningfully to discussions about society.

Thank you,

Summary

Course Status :	Upcoming
Course Type :	Core
Language for course content :	English
Duration :	12 weeks
Category :	Sociology
Credit Points :	5
Level :	Undergraduate
Start Date :	09 Jan 2025
End Date :	30 Apr 2025
Enrollment Ends :	28 Feb 2025
Exam Date :	25 May 2025 IST
NCrF Level	5.5
Industry Details :	Research Sector
Exam Shift :	II

Note: This exam date is subject to change based on seat availability. You can check final exam date on your hall ticket.

Page Visits

Course layout

Week	Module No.	Title of Module
1	1.	Science of Society is possible? And Elements of Theory
	2.	Philosophical Roots of Social Research,
	3.	Logic of Inquiry and the Nature of Theoretical System
	4.	Concept of Sociological Imagination
2	5.	Sociological Imagination and Sociological Research
	6.	Evolution of Fieldwork Methods and Practices in Sociology
	7.	What is Social Fact?
	8.	Rules for the distinction of the Normal from the Pathological
3	9.	Rules for the constitution of Social types
	10.	Rules of Observation of Social Facts
	11.	Rules of the explanation of Social facts
	12.	Rules for establishing Sociological Proofs
	13.	Theoretical Concept of Reflexivity- Veena
4	14.	Social Theory and Personal Reality
	15.	Component of Social Worlds permitted or unpermitted
	16.	Towards a Reflexive Sociology
	17.	Sociology and the Liberal Technologies
	18.	Reflexive Sociology and Radical Sociology
5	19.	Reflexive Sociology as a work Ethics- Veena
	20.	History and Biography Slippage- Veena
	21.	Reflexive Sociology looks at itself- Veena
	22.	Comparative Method
	23.	Some observation on Comparative Method Comparative Method and Scientific Study of Society
6	24.	Differences and Otherness
	25.	Typification vs Classification
	26.	Conflicting Forces and Counter parts
	27.	Comparison of whole Society
	28.	The Comparative Method and the Standpoint of Investigator
7	29.	Why Feministic Approach?
	30.	Method , Methodology and Epistemology
	31.	Problems with adding Women
	32.	What’s New in Feminist Approach ?
	33.	New Purposes of Social Sciences for Women New Subject Matter
8	34.	Two final Issues
	35.	Methodological Implications of Women’s History
	36.	Sociological theories on Empirical Research Methodology
	37.	General Sociological Orientation
	38.	Analysis of Sociological Concepts
9	39.	Post factum Sociological Interpretations
	40.	Empirical Generalization in Sociology/ Sociological Theories
	41.	Formal Derivations and Codifications
	42.	Empirical Research on Sociological Theories: The Theoretical Functions of Research
	43.	Serendipity Pattern
10	44.	Recasting of Theory
	45.	Refocusing of Theoretical Interest
	46.	The Clarification of Concepts
	47.	Analyzing Data: Quantitative and Qualitative
	48.	Nature of Quantitative Research: Positivist Position
11	49.	Positivism and Quantitative Research
	50.	Some Preoccupations in Quantitative Research
	51.	Nature of Qualitative Research
	52.	Intellectual Underpinnings of Qualitative Research
	53.	Characteristics of Qualitative Research-
12	54.	Problems in Qualitative Research
	55.	Combining Qualitative and Quantitative
	56.	Analysis of Quantitative Data
	57.	Analysis of Qualitative Data

Books and references

1. Mills, C. W. 1959, The Sociological Imagination, London: Chapter 1, Pp. 3‐24

2. Gluckman, M. 1978, 'Introduction', in A. L. Epstein (ed.), The Craft of Social

3. Anthropology, Delhi: Hindustan Publishing Corporation, Pp. xv‐xxiv

4. Durkheim, E. 1958, The Rules of Sociological Method- Chapter 1, 2 & 6 Pp. 1‐46, 125‐140

5. Weber, Max. 1949, The Methodology of the Social Sciences- Foreward and Chapter 2 Pp. 49‐112

6. Alvin. 1970, The Coming Crisis of Western Sociology, Chapter 13 Pp. 481‐511

7. Radcliffe‐Brown, A.R. 1958, Methods in Social Anthropology, Chapter 5 Pp. 91‐108

8. Beiteille, A. 2002, Sociology: Essays on Approach and Method, Chapter 4 Pp. 72‐94

9. Harding, Sandra 1987, “Introduction: Is there a Feminist Method?” in Sandra Harding (ed.) Feminism & Methodology: Social Science Issues, Bloomington: Indiana University Pp. 1‐14

10.Merton, R.K. 1972, Social Theory & Social Structure, Chapters 4 & 5 Pp. 139‐171

11. Bryman, Alan. 2004, Quantity and Quality in Social Research, New York

Instructor bio

Dr. Sarika Dixit

Mahatma Gandhi University, Meghalaya

I am Dr. Sarika Dixit, currently working as Registrar (Prof. Sociology) Mahatma Gandhi University, Meghalaya, (Since 2nd March 2023), Since 2011, I was working with SOSS, DAVV, Indore as a faculty, convener MSW Sociology, PHD coordinator, extensively involved in administrative activities, NAAC, Research, Exam, Result etc. Beside this I was also engaged with Katsturba gram Rural Institute, Indore, One Stop center, Indore, Jila Rojgaar karyalaya, Indore, Police training Institute, Indore, CPCLDP program of Chitrakoot University, in different capacities.

I have completed my One ICSSR IMPRESS Project on Menstrual Health and Hygiene, Two MOOC from CEC have been awarded to me, one is Sociology of Kinship at undergraduate level and second is Research Method II at Undergraduate level.

Course certificate

The course is free to learn. Interested Learners can enroll and learn the course for free.

If You wish to get certified on this course you must register and write the proctored exam after payment of exam fee.

30 Marks will be allocated for Internal Assessment and 70 Marks will be allocated for end term proctored examination.

Securing 40% in both separately is mandatory to pass the course and get Credit Certificate.

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