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Research Methods
Research Methods
December 9, 2025

The Research Methods Resource Collection includes syllabi, assignments, and in-class activities suitable for research methods courses or instruction on research methods in other sociology courses. 

A groups of students studying in the library
Bottles of hot sauce
Michael Ohsfeldt, M.J. Vickers
Teaching Research Interviewing through Analyzing Celebrity Interviewing in Hot Ones
February 4, 2026
Subject Area(s):
Art/Music, Communication and Information Technologies, Cultural Sociology, Emotions, Ethnomethodology/Conversational Analysis, Introduction to Sociology/Social Problems, Leisure/Sports/Recreation, Mass Communication/Public Opinion, Occupations/Professions, Other, Qualitative Methodology, Research Methods, Social Psychology, Sociological Practice, Teaching and Learning in Sociology
Resource Type(s):
Assignment, Class Activity
Class Level(s):
College 200, College 300, College 400, Graduate
Class Size(s):
Medium, Small
Abstract:

This resource contains a multi-step, iterative assignment with an in-class content analysis activity followed by an out-of-class repetition of the same activity. To increase students’ engagement with the material, the assignment focuses on a celebrity interview on...

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A student coding field notes
Michel Estefan
Practicing Ethnography with Visual Media: A Step-by-Step Assignment Using Downtown Abbey
December 9, 2025
Subject Area(s):
Cultural Sociology, Ethnography, Political Sociology, Qualitative Methodology, Research Methods, Teaching and Learning in Sociology
Resource Type(s):
Assignment
Class Level(s):
College 100, College 200, College 300, College 400, High School
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:

This applied exercise introduces students to the practice of ethnographic analysis through close observation of visual media. Using Downton Abbey as a case study, students learn to produce rich, reflexive field notes, code their observations into central...

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Looking down at a wristwatch
Samantha Ammons
Using Time-diaries to Understand Work-family Theory
May 28, 2025
Subject Area(s):
Family, Occupations/Professions, Theory
Resource Type(s):
Assignment
Class Level(s):
College 400, Graduate
Class Size(s):
Medium, Small
Abstract:

This is an applied theory assignment for an undergraduate/graduate work-family course that addresses how employment, family and leisure come together (or not). The course addresses historical trends, theories, how stratification shapes work-family experiences, and...

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A group of students around a table with computers at a workshop
Bailey Brown, Amber
Interdisciplinary Methods Exchange: A Joint-Class Guest Speaker Workshop
April 23, 2025
Subject Area(s):
Capstone Courses, Qualitative Methodology, Quantitative Methodology, Research Methods, Statistics
Resource Type(s):
Assignment, Class Activity, Syllabus
Class Level(s):
College 200, College 300, College 400
Class Size(s):
Large, Medium
Abstract:

This workshop brings scholars in the social sciences together for a 10-week “Interdisciplinary Research Methods Exchange.” Scholars speak to a group of social science undergraduate majors about their current and prior research, highlighting their background,...

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Two students studying
Maria Scaptura
’Learning Sociology through Social Research’: A Research Methods Course Syllabus
October 24, 2024
Subject Area(s):
Other, Qualitative Methodology, Quantitative Methodology, Research Methods
Resource Type(s):
Syllabus
Class Level(s):
College 300, College 400
Class Size(s):
Medium, Small
Abstract:

The Social Research course is a semester-long (15-week) course at the 3000-level. It was designed as 6-units walking students through the process, methodologies, analysis, evaluation, and finally, real-world applications of social research. At the beginning of the...

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A person typing on a laptop
Todd Lu
Using Taguette Software for Qualitative Content Analysis of Black Lives Matter Documents and Media Articles
August 21, 2024
Subject Area(s):
Collective Behavior/Social Movements, Communication and Information Technologies, Introduction to Sociology/Social Problems, Mass Communication/Public Opinion, Qualitative Methodology, Research Methods
Resource Type(s):
Assessment, Class Activity, PowerPoint
Class Level(s):
Any Level
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:

In this class activity, students will learn qualitative content analysis using the free and open-source Taguette software. Students analyze Alicia Garza’s (2014) “A Herstory of Black Lives Matter” and an Associated Press newspaper article (2015) on Black Lives...

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A pen and notebook
Natalie Ingraham
SOC 390 Research Methods Syllabus
July 2, 2024
Subject Area(s):
Research Methods
Resource Type(s):
Syllabus
Class Level(s):
College 200, College 300, College 400
Class Size(s):
Medium, Small
Abstract:

The course covers sociological research methods broadly and is designed for Sociology majors or minors as a required core course. This course was designed as part of a two-step course for an upper division (300 level) research methods survey course that led into...

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