1. Instructor: Ismail Nooraddini, MA Office: Alumnae Hall, Room 309
Phone: 240.403.4800 x235 Class: Mon and Wed 6:30-8:10pm
Email: Nooraddini@hood.edu Office Hours: Mon/Wed. 6:00-6:30pm (Before class)
Teaching Assistant: Eric Stone TA Email: eas15@hood.edu
Methods of Social Research
SOC 260 – Fall 2015
Syllabus
Course Description
Sociology 260 is an introduction to the philosophy, logic, and basic research methods of the social
sciences. It includes an examination of the fundamental ideas and principles underlying the scientific study of
human behavior and the social world as well as the research designs and techniques, both quantitative and
qualitative, commonly used in social research: experiments, surveys, content analysis, field research, historical-
comparative research, and program evaluation. Prerequisite: SOC101 or permission of the instructor. (First
semester/4credits)
Course Objective
This course is intended to teach the basic components of social research. This includes; the foundations
of social research, research design, data collection, data analysis, program evaluations, and report writing. We
will also cover the ethical principles involved in each stage of research.
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
 read and critically assess social research in public and academic sources
 understand research terminology
 be aware of the ethical principles surrounding research
 asses theoretical aspects surrounding research
 think critically about social research
o Qualitative, quantitative, and mix method research methods
o Literature reviews
o Method of sampling
o Date analysis
o Report writing
o Program evaluations
Students will also be able to improve their ability to:
 demonstrate analytical and critical thinking
 make clear and concise oral presentations
 write in a clear and concise manner
 use current technology to find, organize, and communicate information

2. Course Readings
Neuman, Lawrence. The Basics of Social Research: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, 3rd
edition. Pearson, 2011.
Strand, Kerry J. and Gregory L. Weiss (eds.), Experiencing Social Research: A Reader. Allyn & Bacon,
2005.
Additional readings on Blackboard
Assignments and Evaluations
Assignments: 20%
Assignment 1 = 5%
Assignment 2 = 5%
Assignment 3 = 5%
Assignment 4 = 5%
Exams: 40%
There will be three exams; two midterms (10% each) and final (20%).
Research Proposal: 20%
We will periodically work on the research proposals throughout the semester. You are expected
to complete parts of the assignment in a timely manner. Any late sections will result in deducted
points from the final grade.
Attendance/ class participation: 20%
Grading Scale
The grade scale is as follows;
A+ = 97+ A= 96- 94 A- = 93 – 90 B+ = 89 - 87 B = 86 – 84 B- = 83 – 80
C+ = 79 – 77 C = 76 – 74 C- = 73 - 70 D+ = 69 – 67 D = 66 – 64 D- = 63-60
Anything below a 60 is considered failing, however you must receive a C (70) or higher to be admitted to the
next methods course, SOC 261.
Students with Disabilities
I have created this syllabus to accommodate students, allocating adequate time to complete assignments.
However, if there are aspects of this course which you feel may be difficult to meet, please meet with me on an
individual basis. You are also encouraged to contact the Office of Disability Services at (301) 696 - 3421 or
visit their website http://www.hood.edu/campus-services/disability-services/index.html

3. Academic Honesty
Students are expected to uphold a certain level of integrity when completing assignments. The instructor
begins each semester believing students are not violating the Hood College honor system. Violations are treated
seriously, and will lead to disciplinary action. For more information on this honor system, please see
undergraduate academic policies
http://www.hood.edu/academics/academic-catalogs/current-catalog/table-of-contents/undergraduate-academic-
policies.html
Honor pledge reads as follows;
“Recognizing the importance and value of the Hood College honor system, I pledge on my
personal honor that I will uphold the honor system for the duration of my enrollment at Hood
College. Furthermore, I pledge that I will read and make every effort to understand the concepts
of the honor system.”
Students submit all academic work with the following statement: “I pledge that I have neither given nor
received any unauthorized aid on this assignment.”
Attendance and Participation
It is your responsibility to attend every class, on time. If you miss more than three classes, points will be
deducted from your final grade. Tardiness will not be tolerated either, and will affect your final grade. Not only
is your attendance recommended, but so is your active participation. This course is a core component of the
Hood curriculum, and I expect you to treat it as such. If you are unable to meet these expectations, then please
notify me immediately.
Policy on late assignments, missed exams, and scheduling conflict
 If you are unable to attend a class due to a scheduling conflict, please notify me in advance. Three
missed classes without proper notification will result in a reduction of your final grade.
 Assignments are to be turned in on the due date. Late assignments (without notifying instructor in
advance) will be penalized by five points for each day late. By definition, late assignments are
anything not turned in by beginning of class.
 Missed exams will only be rescheduled for students with legitimate excuses (as defined by instructor),
and who contact instructor before exam date.

4. Course Schedule
Week 1
Monday August 24
Review syllabus, course expectations, Introductions
Wednesday August 26
Neuman, Chapter 1: Doing Social Research
Strand & Weiss, Chapter 1: Experiencing Social Research: Choices, Challenges, Constraints,
and Compromises
Neuman, Chapter 14: Writing the Research Report
Week 2
Monday August 31
Neuman, Chapter 2: Theory and Social Research
Strand & Weiss, Chapter 2: Why Do Social Research?
Wednesday September 2
Week 3
Monday September 7
LABOR DAY- NO CLASSES
Wednesday September 9
Neuman, Chapter 3: Ethics in Social Research
Appendix A, “American Sociological Association Code of Ethics” (On Blackboard)
Sorenson, Jon et al., “Capital Punishment and Deterrence: Examining the Effect of Executions
on Murder in Texas”/ interview with Jon Sorenson
5 IDEAS FOR RESEARCH PROPOSAL DUE
Week 4
Monday September 14
Neuman, Chapter 4: Reviewing the Scholarly Literature and Planning a Study
Strand & Weiss, Chapter 3: Research Design, Sampling, and Measurement
Wednesday September 16
ASSIGNMENT # 1 DUE- ARTICLE CRITIQUE
Week 5
Monday September 21
PROBLEM STATEMENT DUE
In-class study
Wednesday September 23
EXAM
Week 6
Monday September 28
Neuman, Chapter 5: Qualitative and Quantitative Measurement
Wednesday September 30

5. Week 7
Monday October 5
Neuman, Chapter 6: Qualitative and Quantitative Sampling
ASSIGNMENT 2 DUE- MEASUREMENT ASSIGNMENT
Wednesday October 7
Week 8
Monday October 12
MIDTERM RECESS- NO CLASSES
Wednesday October 14
Neuman, Appendex E, “Evaluation Research” (On Blackboard)
LITERATURE REVIEW DUE
Week 9
Monday October 19
Neuman, Chapter 8: Experimental Research
Strand & Weiss, Chapter 4: Experimental Research
Wednesday October 21
Study for midterm
Week 10
Monday October 26
EXAM
Wednesday October 28
Neuman, Chapter 7: Survey Research
Strand & Weiss, Chapter 5: Survey Research
Week 11
Monday November 2
ASSIGNMENT 3 DUE- SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE
Neuman, Chapter 9: Nonreactive Research and Secondary Analysis
Strand & Weiss, Chapter 6: Content Analysis, Accretion Measures, and Using Existing Statistics
(Except Sorensen, Jon et al)
Wednesday November 3
Week 12
Monday November 9
Neuman, Chapter 10: Analysis of Quantitative Data
Wednesday November 11
ASSIGNMENT 4 DUE- DATA REVIEW EXERCISE

6. Week 13
Monday November 16
Neuman, Chapter 11: Conducting Qualitative Research
Strand & Weiss, Chapter 7: Field Research
Wednesday November 18
METHODOLOGY/ DESIGN SECTION DUE
Week 14
Monday November 23
Chapter 13: Analysis of Qualitative Data
Wednesday November 25
THANKSGIVING RECESS- NO CLASSES
Week 15
Monday November 30
Neuman, Chapter 12: Historical-Comparative Research
Strand & Weiss, Chapter 8: Historical- Comparative Research
Wednesday December 2
Week 16
Monday December 7
Individual presentations
Wednesday December 9
Individual presentations
LAST DAY OF CLASS
COMPLETE RESEARCH PROPOSAL DUE
Final Exam
Monday December 14th, 6:30 – 8:30pm
*Course syllabus is subject to change*

7. Important Dates for Methods of Social Research
ReadingsDue:
Week Neuman Strand & Weiss Extra Reading
1 Ch. 1 & 14 Ch. 1
2 Ch. 2 Ch. 2 ASA Code of Ethics
3 Ch. 3 Pp. 197 - 211
4 Ch. 4 Pp. 3
5 EXAM 1 -
6 Ch. 5 -
7 Ch. 6 -
8 - - Evaluations Research
9 Ch. 8 Ch. 4
10 MIDTERM -
11 Ch. 9 Ch. 6
12 Ch. 10 -
13 Ch. 11 Ch. 7
14 Ch. 13
15 Ch. 12 Ch. 8
16 NONE Final exam review
Assignments
Week 3: Brainstorm 5 research ideas
Week 4: Assignment 1
Week 5: Problem statement
Week 7: Assignment 2
Week 8: Literature review
Week 11: Assignment 3
Week 12: Assignment 4
Week 13: Methodology/ Design section
Week 16: Individual presentations & final paper due
Exams
Exam #1: Wednesday September 23rd, 6:30 – 8:30pm
Exam #2: Monday October 26th, 6:30 – 8:30pm
Final exam: Monday December 154h, 6:30 – 8:30pm