INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL RESEARCH METHODS

As part of the master's degree course in TRANS-MEDITERRANEAN STUDIES: MIGRATION, COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT, the teaching INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL RESEARCH METHODS aims to equip students with tools in qualitative research that will contribute to the development of their own future research projects, paying particular attention to the professional profiles envisaged by the degree course. The course will address the different stages of research, from practical guidance on preliminary research design and literature reviews, through an introduction to key qualitative methods such as interviewing and participant observation to a discussion of data analysis and the dissemination of findings. It will cover research ethics, the position of researcher in relation to participants and other challenges in the field. It will also critically discuss the opportunities posed by new media and internet-based research. Through an emphasis on participatory learning, students will have the opportunity to acquire practical hands-on experience in the use of different methods and to develop skills in evaluating the impact and quality of research.

By the end of the course, students will have acquired a solid understanding of the different elements of the social research process, including core methods of qualitative data collection and analysis. They will have gained practical experience in using qualitative methods, and will have developed critical skills in interpreting and evaluating qualitative research. In addition, they will be in a position to recognize and discuss the ethical dimensions of research and to adopt a reflexive approach to their relationship with research subjects.

Criteria for admission are the same as those for the study programme of "Trans-Mediterranean Studies: Migration, Cooperation and Development". A good knowledge of English is essential.

Topics covered during the course include:
1. Introduction to research, including distinctions between qualitative and quantitative research and between primary and secondary sources;
2. Qualitative research design and formulating research questions;
3. Literature reviews;
4. Ethnography and participant observation;
5. Interviewing and focus groups;
6. Digital media and internet research;
7. Analysing data;
8. Discourse analysis;
9. Research ethics and reflexive research;
10. Writing up and disseminating research.

Referral texts (compulsory reading, students can choose one of the two texts):
- Cardano Mario e Gariglio Luigi, Metodi qualitativi : pratiche di ricerca in presenza, a distanza e ibride (Roma: Carocci, 2022).
or:
- Hennink Monique, Hutter Inge, Bailey Ajay, Qualitative Research Methods (London: SAGE, 2020).

Further readings:
A detailed bibliography and key texts will be provided by the teacher during the course.

Oral exam on the materials assigned during the course. The exam will assess the knowledge of the topics covered during the lessons, the acquisition of critical and analytical tools, and the ability to learn, even independently, of the students. During the exam, 6 topics will be verified.

oral

Regarding the grading scale, scores will be assigned according to the following schema:
A. Scores in the 18-22 range will be awarded in the presence of: Sufficient knowledge and applied comprehension of the program;
B. Scores in the 23-26 range will be awarded in the presence of: Fair knowledge and applied comprehension of the program;
C. Scores in the 27-30 range will be awarded in the presence of: Good or excellent knowledge and applied comprehension of the program;
D. Honors will be awarded in the presence of excellent knowledge and applied comprehension of the program.

The course will be structured around in-class interactive lectures and film presentations, with some online activities. The teaching approach will encourage students’ active participation in classroom activities through group discussions and student-led presentations on topics introduced by the teacher in class. In addition, students will have the opportunity under the guidance of the teacher to develop practical skills in interviewing and observation techniques.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development