Approach and methods in social sciences

Teacher(s)

Nsengiyumva Jean-Luc;

Language

French

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

The course "Approach and Methods in Social Sciences" is part of the methodological track. The learning outcomes are as follows. At the end of this course, the student should be able to 1) Master the techniques of reading and critical comparison of texts (or other resources) 2) Master the basics of searching for bibliographic resources 3) Be able to formulate a starting question 4) Be able to carry out a state of the art 5) Be able to construct a research problem 6) Master certain tools related to group work and oral presentation of work 7) Have a first overview of data collection methods in social sciences

Content

The course will begin with an epistemological discussion of the production of knowledge in the social sciences. It will examine what it means to “know” and consider how the recognition of certain forms of knowledge as legitimate is shaped not only by scientific criteria, but also by social, institutional, and political relations. Particular attention will be paid to the processes through which some forms of knowledge acquire scientific authority, while others are marginalised, disqualified, or kept at the periphery of academic spaces of legitimation.
Building on this introductory discussion, the course will include:

• an introduction to the initial stages of the research process;
• exercises in the critical reading and synthesis of academic texts;
• guidance in conducting a literature review, with a view to identifying the main works, debates, and controversies surrounding a research topic;
• guidance in progressively developing a research problem from an initial research question.

Teaching methods

The course unit combines lectures, preparation for practical sessions through readings completed by students in advance, and individual supervision of their work.

Evaluation methods

The assessment for the course unit includes both an individual component (with a grade awarded to each student individually) and a group component (with a grade awarded to the group as a whole, consisting of a maximum of three students). The final grade is distributed as follows:

• An individual paper (6 points of the final grade), approximately three pages in length, submitted by each student. The paper will critically compare at least two texts relevant to the literature review (6 points).
• A final group assignment focusing on the development of a research problem (10 points).
• The presentation of the group assignment during the final class session and its oral defence during the examination will account for 4 points of the final grade. These points may be allocated differently among group members depending on their respective contributions.

Bibliography

Les ressources pour cette UE sont :
1) Marquis N., Lenel E., Van Campenhoudt L., Pratique de la lecture en sciences humaines et sociales, Paris, Dunod, 2018.
2) Van Campenhoudt L., Marquet J., Quivy R., Manuel de Recherche en sciences sociales, 5e édition, Dunod, 2017.
3) Des textes à lire, comparer et critiquer en TP.
4) Les ressources sur Moodle (slides, etc.)

Faculty or entity

> ESPB