College of Liberal Arts

De La Salle University – Manila

Syllabus

Department: Behavioral Sciences Room: M311

Course Code: ABS551D
Course Title: Advanced Social Research Methods 1
Schedule: M – 1800-2115
Instructor: Prof. Romeo B. Lee
Contact Details: romeo.lee@dlsu.edu.ph
Consultation Days and Time: W – 1-5

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course (ABS551D or Advanced Social Research Methods) focuses on qualitative
and quantitative research methods in the social sciences. It discusses the various tools and
techniques involved in qualitative and quantitative methods, including those utilized in data
processing, analysis and interpretation. Moreover, it discusses the range of problems and issues
revolving around the use and conduct of qualitative and quantitative research methods. In this
course, students are expected to design a research project.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
CLA ELGAs LEARNING OUTCOME
On completion of the course, students are expected to:
Competent professional
Critical and creative knowledge Develop and submit a research project proposal on a major
producer issue affecting a population subgroup (e.g., youth) or a
Diversity-sensitive communicator social institution (e.g., mass media), using concepts,
Socially responsive and knowledge and methods related to social research.
collaborative citizen
Morally principled and faith-
inspired leader

MAJOR COURSE OUTPUT:

LEARNING OUTCOME OUTPUTS DUE DATE

1
Develop and submit a research project Social research project April 8 (F)
proposal on a major issue affecting a proposal
population subgroup (e.g., youth) or a
social institution (e.g., mass media), using
concepts, knowledge and methods related
to social research.

2
RUBRIC FOR ASSESSMENT:

The social research project proposal shall be graded, from 1.0 to 4.0, based on the following:

CRITERIA/ EXEMPLARY SATISFACTORY DEVELOPING BEGINNING

QUALITIES 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0
Does the proposal The submitted The submitted The submitted The submitted
properly identify work manifests work manifests work manifests work
the major issue all the required most of the some of the manifests
affecting a qualities. required qualities. required little of the
population qualities. required
subgroup/social qualities.
institution—is the
issue very specific,
clearly defined
based on research
questions, and well
described using
ample evidence?
Is the proposed The submitted The submitted The submitted The submitted
methodology work manifests work manifests work manifests work
appropriate to the all the required most of the some of the manifests
proposed research
qualities. required qualities. required little of the
topic and well
explained in terms qualities. required
of research design, qualities.
population and
respondents,
instrumentation,
data gathering
procedures, data
analysis and
methodological
limitation?

OTHER REQUIREMENTS AND ASSESSMENTS:

Students will also be evaluated based on the quality of their class recitation and oral report
presentations.
GRADING SYSTEM:

Class Requirements/Activities Percentage

Recitation 20
Oral report presentations (2 x 15) 30
Social research project proposal 50

TOTAL 100
3
LEARNING PLAN:

LEARNING TOPICS WEEKS ACTIVITIES

OUTCOME
Develop and I. CONCEPTUALIZING SOCIAL 1st-2nd week Lecture
submit a research LIFE
project proposal 1. Theories, concepts, frameworks Recitation
2. Different understandings of the
on a major issue Discussion
social world
affecting a 3. Conceptualising common objects
population 4. Connections between theory, Oral report
subgroup (e.g., research and society presentation
youth) or a social 5. Questioning ourselves: reflexive
institution (e.g., Sociology
mass media), using II. RESEARCH, THEORY AND
METHOD
concepts,
1. Three ingredients of social research
knowledge and 2. Constructing theories
methods related to 3. Concepts and relationships
social research. 4. Testing theories
5. Social research as a social process
6. Choosing a research design

II. PRINCIPLES AND PLANNING 4th-9th week Lecture

FOR RESEARCH
1. Selecting and planning research Discussion
proposals and projects Oral report
2. Research ethics presentation
3. Searching, reviewing and using
the literature
4. Research design: Quantitative
methods
5. Research design: Qualitative
methods
6. Research design: Mixed methods
7. Designing descriptive and
analytical surveys
8. Designing case studies
9. Designing evaluations
10. Action research and change
11. Data collection methods
12. Analysis and report writing

4
REFERENCES

Adler, E.S., & Clark, R. (2008). How it’s done: An invitation to social research. Belmont, CA:
Thomson Wadsworth.
Gilbert, N. (2008). Researching social life. London: Sage.
Gravetter, F.J. (2012). Research methods for the behavioral sciences. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth
Cenage Learning.
Gray, D.E. (2009). Doing research in the real world. London: Sage.
McBurney, D. (2010). Research methods. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cenage Learning.
Miller, S.A. (2013). Developmental research methods. Los Angeles, Sage Publications.
Neuman, W. Lawrence. (2011). Social research methods. Boston: Pearson.
Neuman, W. Lawrence. (2012). Basics of social research. Upper Saddle River: Pearson.
White, T.L., & McBurney, D.H. (2013). Research methods. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.
World Health Organization. (2001). Health research methodology. Manila: WHO.
http://www.wpro.who.int/publications/pub_929061157X/en/index.html

Approved by:

Dr. ROMEO B. LEE

Chair, Behavioral Sciences Department

Dr. JULIO C. TEEHANKEE

Dean, College of Liberal Arts