THEORY AND METHODS OF SOCIAL RESEARCH

The course is an introduction to the methodology and techniques of social research. The main aim is to provide the students with the knowledge and analytical skills necessary to read, critically analyse, design, commission social research, in particular in the area of social policies and interventions.

At the end of the course students:
• They have knowledge with the paradigms of social research and their variety of objectives, instruments and limits
• They have knowledge of the main quantitative research techniques, their underlying assumptions and their utility in the field of social policies and interventions
• They have knowledge of the main qualitative research techniques, their underlying assumptions and their utility in the field of social policies and interventions
• They are able to identify possible research tools applied to concrete cases in the field of social policies and interventions
• They are able to read a research report from a methodological perspective

No prior knowledge is required.

The course is articulated in 3 thematic blocks:
1. Introduction to social research and research paradigms
2. Foundations and techniques in quantitative research
3. Foundations and techniques in qualitative research

In each block the introduction and discussion of basic concepts goes along with the analysis of concrete cases (research problems, existing research).

1. Corbetta, P. (2015), La ricerca sociale: metodologie e tecniche. Il Mulino.
Older editions are acceptable; please make sure to find the corresponding chapters.
• Volume I I paradigmi di riferimento: introduzione, chapter 1, chapter 2.
• Volume II Le tecniche quantitative: chapter 1, chapter 2 (till pag. 85, paragraphs: “Il concetto di causa”; “Corroborazione empirica della relazione causale”, “Analisi della covariazione ed esperimento”, the following ones are excluded), chapter 3, chapter 4 (till pag. 232, paragraphs “Modalità di rilevazione”, “Inchieste diacroniche”, “Analisi secondaria”, “Ricerca bibliografica, archivi e dataset”, the last one is excluded), chapter 6.
• Volume III Le tecniche qualitative: chapter 1, chapter 2, chapter 3.

2. Cardano, M. (2011) "La ricerca qualitativa". Bologna: Il Mulino. (the whole book)

3. Madge J. (2003) Lo sviluppo dei metodi di ricerca empirica in sociologia. Il Mulino.
Any edition is fine, please make sure to find the corresponding chapters.
• Chapter. 1 “Suicidio e anomia” (Escluso il paragrafo finale “Teoria sociale”)
• Chapter. 2 “Contadini e operai” (Escluso il paragrafo “Metodologia”)
• Chapter 4 “La vita in una piccola città” (pagine 173-200, esclusi i paragrafi “Middletown in transition”, “Lo spirito di Middletown”);
• Chapter 6 “Lo studio delle subculture” (pagine 285- 323, escluso il paragrafo “Teoria sociale”).

4. Becker, H. (2007) "I trucchi del mestiere. Come fare ricerca sociale". Bologna: Il Mulino.

5. Della Puppa, F., Matteuzzi, F., Saresin, F. (2021). "La linea dell'orizzonte". Padova: Becco Giallo.

Other additional readings (not compulsory for the exam) may be indicated during the course


NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS will add:

1. Corbetta, P. (2015). "La ricerca sociale: metodologie e tecniche". Bologna: Il Mulino, Volume III Le tecniche qualitative: chapter 1, chapter 2, chapter 3.
Older editions are acceptable; please make sure to find the corresponding chapters.

2. La Mendola, S. (2009). "Centrato e aperto. Dare vita a interviste dialogiche", Torino: Utet. (the whole book)

3. Frisina, A. (2010). "Focus group. Una guida pratica", Bologna: Il Mulino. (the whole book)

4. Della Puppa, F., Primo, D., Rizzoli, V. e Storato, G. (2019), Cahiers di Scienze Sociali, 5. Special Issue “Metodi e Tecniche della ricerca sociale”. (the whole issue)

The written exam consists of open questions relative to the themes of the lectures to the texts. During the exam it is not possible to look up texts, notes and other materials.
The exam is the same for attending and non-attending students.
The assessment concerns:
- the understanding of the main concepts addressed during the course;
- clarity;
- ability to critically analyse methodological strategies
- ability to propose research strategies applied to a concrete case

In addition to the oral exam, students will have to prepare, by the end of the course, a short research project, on a subject related to social work, negotiated with the teacher.
The teacher will be available to follow the drafting of the research project.

The course consists of lectures and seminars in which the main concepts and concrete cases will be introduced, also by means of guest teachers and the use of visual documents (ppt presentation, videos, pictures).
During the course the students will be given short home assignments that will be discussed during class, among which the preparation of a brief research project.
The assignments are mandatory and, along with the active participation at seminars, lecturers, and classes, will be taken into consideration in the final evaluation.

Italian

For any clarification, do not hesitate to contact the professor: francesco.dellapuppa@unive.it

Ca ’Foscari applies Italian law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) for the support and accommodation services available to students with disabilities and special needs or specific learning disabilities and special needs. If you have a mobility, visual, hearing or other disability and special needs (Law 17/1999) or a specific learning disorder or special needs (Law 170/2010) and you require support (classroom assistance, technological aids for carrying out exams or exams individualized, accessible format material, note retrieval, specialist tutoring to support the study, interpreters or other) contact the Disability and DSA office disabilita@unive.it.

oral

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Poverty and inequalities" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development