Forget everything you think about social science research. SEFS 504: Social Science Research Designs & Methods is making this kind of research fun by encouraging students to tailor the science to their interests.

This four-credit graduate course makes performing social research easier, more exciting and fun because it functions on the idea that well-designed social science is better social science. This kind of science can be fun when it is more flexible; the researcher will have plenty of discretion and due process adaptability options; and the course embraces diverse modes of inquiry.

Please note that the course is still listed in the course catalog by its old name, “Research Processes in Forest Resources.” Despite its outdated name, this course is actually open to graduate students across all disciplines who are looking to learn more about social science research.

In the course, students will engage in hands-on exploration of real world social research approaches covering five major areas:

• Preparing for research, developing & focusing research questions
• Designing the Inquiry & choosing a research strategy
• Data collection: Interviews
• Qualitative Data analysis
• Writing a social science thesis project proposal tailored to meet your individual interests

Upon completion of the course, you will acquire essential conceptual and practical understanding of social science research design and methods. In addition, you will be provided with opportunities to:

• Work and learn in an interdisciplinary environment, to appreciate the diverse approaches to social inquiry used by peers
• Be engaged in active, directed learning to improve readiness to design and conduct thesis and/or dissertation research with more pleasure than anticipated
• Acquire additional resources to help fortify skills in research methods of particular interest to you

Add SEFS 504 to your course schedule here.