Social Science Research Methods I. 3 credits, 3 contact hours

Catalog description

Prerequisites: ENGL 102 with a grade of C or higher; PSY 210 and PSY 213 . Corequisite: PSY 304A . This course introduces students to qualitative research methods that form the foundation for ethical and effective social inquiry. Students learn to develop focused research questions, conduct literature reviews, and engage critically with existing scholarship. The course explores the history, philosophy, and ethics of qualitative methodology while emphasizing skills in observation, interviewing, and thematic analysis. Through guided fieldwork and reflective writing, students gain experience in collecting and interpreting qualitative data. The semester culminates in a research methods portfolio that integrates gathered data, analytic work, and reflective insights on the research process.