040153 UK Empirical Social Research (2023W)

The course provides training in the theory and practice of empirical social research. Particular emphasis is placed on research designs and processes, research questions and hypotheses, operationalisation and sampling, and the most important data collection methods. Practical exercises are devoted to two methods of data collection, the qualitative survey and the standardized survey. Students can experience differences between qualitative and quantitative approaches as well as fruitful options of combining these approaches. The exercises include both individual work and group work. The participants are encouraged to use the methods and results of empirical social research in a reflected manner and to avoid frequent errors while conducting own research projects.