General Sociology

The third part of the General Sociology course has a practical and laboratory-based focus. Through group work and hands-on exercises, students will develop a research project that guides them from formulating research questions to writing a final report.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Understand the main concepts and tools of social research methodology, with particular attention to research design and data interpretation.

• Apply appropriate research methods and techniques (questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, observation) in line with their research questions.

• Critically evaluate methodological choices, recognising their strengths and limitations.

• Communicate research results effectively, both orally and in writing, using appropriate technical language and visualisation tools.

• Work in teams and develop capacity-building skills in managing a research project, also with the support of tools such as the Research Canvas.

The laboratory will combine lectures with practical and interactive activities, including:

• group work and team-building exercises,

• guided discussions and collective reflections,

• simulations and exercises aimed at designing and implementing social research projects.

The teaching approach integrates theoretical explanations with practical activities, fostering the connection between methodological concepts and their concrete application.

It is useful to have a basic knowledge of sociology, as it facilitates the understanding of the activities.
It is recommended, though not compulsory, to take the laboratory after studying the contents of the first and second parts of the General Sociology course, which provide the theoretical framework for the practical and research activities.

Attendance is not compulsory, but it is strongly recommended, especially for the realisation of the project work.
Participation in class activities provides direct support in developing the practical and collaborative skills required for designing and conducting a social research project.

The laboratory will guide students through the main stages of a social research project, with a practical and applied approach. The following topics will be covered:

1. Team building and capacity building in research groups (also using support tools such as the Research Canvas)

2. Formulation of research questions

3. Selection of methods and techniques (questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, observation)

4. Design and use of data collection tools

5. Data collection, organisation, and management

6. Data analysis and visualisation techniques

7. Writing a research report

• Articles, datasets, research tools, and project work guidelines prepared by the lecturer. These materials will form the core of the laboratory and will be made available on Studium.

• Stefanizzi S. (2012), Il ragionamento sociologico. Questioni metodologiche ed esempi di ricerca, Milano, McGraw-Hill Education (Chapters 4 and 7).

Not compulsory, but useful for those who wish to explore specific aspects in more depth or enrich the development of their project work:

• Marradi A. (2019), Tutti redigono questionari. Ma è davvero così facile? FrancoAngeli.
• Cardano M. (2011), La ricerca qualitativa, Il Mulino.
• Martire F., Parra Saiani P., Cataldi S. (2023), La ricerca sociale e le sue pratiche, Carocci.

Assessment is organised through practical and/or oral examinations, depending on course attendance:

• For attending students, the assessment will be based on the development of a project work, carried out individually or in groups, covering all stages of the research process: from the formulation of research questions to data collection and analysis, up to the drafting and presentation of the final report. Participation in classroom activities, exercises, and the ability to critically discuss the results will also be considered.

• For non-attending students, the assessment will consist of an oral examination on the reference text. The exam will not be limited to reproducing the book's contents. Still, it will require students to demonstrate the ability to apply methodological concepts to concrete cases and to develop critical reflections that extend beyond the manual itself. Alternatively, an individual project work may be agreed upon with the lecturer.

The following assessment criteria apply:

• Knowledge and understanding
  Students will be assessed on their ability to accurately identify and define the fundamental concepts of social research methodology. In oral or practical examinations, they should demonstrate an understanding of technical terms (e.g., variable, sample, validity, reliability) and correctly place them within the stages of research design.

• Applying knowledge and understanding
  Assessment will focus on the ability to translate concepts into operational choices, including designing a research project, formulating questions, selecting methods and tools (such as questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, and observation), collecting and organizing data, analyzing results, and preparing a final report. Particular attention will be paid to the consistency between objectives, methods, and outcomes.

• Making judgements
  Evaluation will consider the ability to reflect on methodological choices critically, recognise their strengths and limitations, and discuss their impact on research results.

• Communication skills
  Students will be assessed on their ability to present research results in a clear and well-structured way, both orally and in writing, using appropriate technical language and visualisation tools such as graphs and tables.

• Learning skills
  Assessment will focus on the ability to independently re-elaborate course content, integrate provided materials (datasets, tools, research articles), and compare different approaches, demonstrating progression and autonomy in learning.