Part 3

Introduces the major forms of social data used in sociology, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, and observational data. Emphasis is on matching research questions to appropriate data sources.

Focuses on designing closed-ended survey questions. Students practice writing measurable items, identifying variables, and avoiding common sources of bias.

Explores open-ended survey questions and short-response prompts. Students learn how to elicit meaningful qualitative data without leading respondents.

Covers interview design, ethics, and protocol structure. Students practice constructing interview guides and distinguishing interviews from surveys.

Introduces focus group methodology, including facilitator roles, group dynamics, and structured discussion guides for collecting group-level insights.

Integrates survey, interview, and focus group data. Students learn how AI can assist with coding, categorization, and pattern detection while preserving human judgment and methodological rigor.