Sociology

1. Knowledge and understanding: on having passed the exam students will know the theoretical and applied features of methodology of social research on the ground of a basic competence of mathematics and statistics for social science, according to a quali-quantitative approach, with reference to research design and data gathering, processing, and analysis. Further, students should have capabilities of critical analysis and design of strategies and tools of social research and of data analysis as well, together with capabilities of choosing amongst different approaches to the research design and different methods of data analysis 2. Applying knowledge and understanding: on having passed the exam students should be able to apply knowledge and understanding skills to social phenomena through a theoretical and methodological method of empirical research; to know how to choose and use the quantitative and qualitative tools and techniques of social research; to criticize, justify, argue and support methodological choices with respect to the cognitive and / or applicative objectives of social research. 3. Critical faculties should be developed through activities of evaluation of an empirical research, a scientific article, or a research report based on the information available regarding the methodological path. Other activities are the collection of additional information and data from other sources, as well as the identification of cognitive problems and the identification of possible solutions 4. Communications skills. The ability to communicate effectively the results of empirical research with a correct and conscious use of the methodological terms, as well as the ability to analyze and discuss critical issues of a methodological and theoretical nature, with particular regard to the aspects inherent in empirical research, should be obtained through classroom presentations of results of empirical research and the participation of students in discussions with the teacher). 5. Learning skills. The ability of updating in the methodology and techniques of social research should be developed through drawing on various bibliographic sources, national and international scientific literature, databases, etc.