The course will provide the tools, skills, and competencies that students need to conduct a diagnosis and assessment based on data they generate themselves or data generated by others. In this regard, they must understand the main methods and techniques of social research, both qualitative and quantitative, which will enable them to effectively carry out the objectives they formulate or need to accomplish. Furthermore, this course will also equip them with the necessary tools to complete their Final Degree Project (TFG).
Topic 1: Social Research Techniques: Qualitative vs. Quantitative
1.1. Advantages and differences
1.2. Mixed research models
1.3. Rigor and quality in social research
1.4. Ethical requirements in research
1.5. The research project
Topic 2: Data Sources
2.1. Types of data sources
2.2. Obtaining secondary data
Topic 3: The Survey
3.1. Characteristics and types
3.2. Sample and sampling
3.3. Types of questionnaires
3.4. Constructing the questionnaire
3.5. Pre-test and application
3.6. Sampling
Topic 4: Interpretation of Statistical Data
4.1. Descriptive analysis
4.2. Bivariate analysis
Topic 5: Observation
5.1. Characteristics and types
5.2. Participant observation and ethnography
5.3. Researcher roles
5.4. Contexts of observation: entry, interaction, and exit from the field
5.5. Data recording, field diary
Topic 6: The Interview and Its Types
6.1. Characteristics and types of individual interviews
6.2. Selection of interviewees. Criteria for selection and types of sampling
6.3. Interview guide
6.4. Obstacles and facilitators of the interview
6.5. Aspects of the interviewer
Topic 7: Life Stories and Narratives
7.1. Characteristics and typology
7.2. Structure and development of stories and life histories
Topic 8: Focus Group Interviews
8.1. Types of focus group interviews
8.2. The moderator
8.3. The participants
8.4. Group organization. Selection criteria
Topic 9: Delphi Method
9.1. Characteristics of the method
9.2. Constructing the questionnaire and application phases
Topic 10: Discourse Analysis
10.1. Characteristics of qualitative analysis and its types
10.2. Analytical procedures: categorization systems, coding, and interpretation
Topic 11: Reporting Research Results
11.1. Types of reports
11.2. Structure and writing process
To pass the course, it is necessary to pass the exam, regardless of the final grade obtained from the sum of all assessable activities. If the sum of the assessable activities is higher than 5 but the student has not passed the exam, it will be recorded on the grade report as ?Not Submitted.?
Assessable activities must be submitted/presented on the dates indicated by the instructor. If, for any duly justified reason communicated to the instructor, they could not be submitted within the established period, they may be submitted by the official date set for the final exam in the ordinary session, although in this case the instructor is not obliged to provide feedback on them.
Students have the right to take the final written exam even if they have not submitted the other assessable activities, but the final grade for the course will only be calculated if all activities have been submitted, according to the evaluation criteria and weightings established in this syllabus. If any assessable activity has not been submitted or completed, it will be recorded as ?Not Submitted? on the grade report for that session.
EXTRAORDINARY EXAM SESSION
The evaluation criteria are the same as in the ordinary session, meaning that all assessable activities required in the course must be submitted. Grades for completed activities (including the final written exam) will be retained until pending activities are completed. The same weighting criteria as in the ordinary assessment will apply. This measure applies only within the current academic year; if the extraordinary session is not passed, re-enrolment will require repeating the entire course.
USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) TOOLS
If AI tools are used in any activity, a paragraph must be included specifying how AI was used and what prompts or instructions were employed to obtain the results. Failure to do so constitutes a violation of academic honesty policies.
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For each topic, specific and up-to-date documentation and bibliography will be provided.