Course aims:

Cognitive: Acquire knowledge about conducting research in the field; acquire knowledge and skills regarding research design.
Functional-Operational: Identify concrete research topics; document for research projects; build research projects on current topics; formulate conclusions and recommendations based on data and evidence.
Role-based: Integrate into research teams; acquire skills to coordinate field research.

Course Entry Requirements:

The discipline is the first in the module of scientific research competencies, providing the curricular foundation for subsequent courses.

Course contents:

8.1 Lectures (teaching methods: lecture, discussion, debate, exemplification)
C1 Introduction: Key concepts in research methodology – 2 hours
C2 The role of scientific research in the field – 2 hours
C3 Topics and types of research in social sciences – 2 hours
C4 Methods, techniques, and tools for data collection – 2 hours
C5 The research project: general aspects – 2 hours
C6 Documentation: keywords, libraries, online databases – 2 hours
C7 Objectives and strategies in research – 2 hours
C8 Hypothesis formulation – 2 hours
C9 Research questions – 2 hours
C10 Qualitative and quantitative approaches – 2 hours
C11 Measurement scales and indicators – 2 hours
C12 Stages of research in social sciences – 2 hours
C13 Research report writing – 2 hours
C14 Ethics of scientific research – 2 hours

Teaching methods:

Lecture, conversation, exemplification.

Learning outcomes:

General Objective: To provide students with fundamental knowledge of scientific research methodology in the field.

Learning outcomes verification and assessment criteria:

Knowledge volume and accuracy – written exam – 40% Scientific rigor of language – written exam – 10% Content organization – written exam – 10% Originality – written exam – 10%

Recommended reading:

-, Blaikie 2010; Iluț 1997; King, Keohane, Verba 2000; Marina 2005; Marina 2018; Rotariu 2016; Rotariu & Iluț 1997., -, -, -, -.
-, Copans 2002; Hatzfeld & Spiegelstein 2000; Kaufman 2003; Markoff, Shapiro, Wettman 1974; Piolat 2002., -, -, -, -.
-, -, -, -, -, -.