Key concepts

• Overview of empirical social science research (Ragin & Amoroso, 2011)
• Purposes of social science research (Ragin & Amoroso, 2011)

Before class

Required readings

1. Ragin, C. C., & Amoroso, L. M. (2011). What Is (and Is Not) Social Research? In Constructing Social Research: The Unity and Diversity of Method (pp. 5–32). Pine Forge Press.
2. Ragin, C. C., & Amoroso, L. M. (2011). The Goals of Social Research. In Constructing Social Research: The Unity and Diversity of Method (pp. 135–162). Pine Forge Press.

Inspiring video

In class

• Course introduction: Websites, Canvas, and other tools/platforms for this class (1h)
• Review tests
  • Quantitative (15 minutes)
  • Qualitative (25 minutes)
• Lecture on key concepts and frameworks (15 minutes)
• Week 1 Q&A (15 minutes)
• TA logistics (20 minutes)
  • Introduction
  • TA hours survey

After class

• Complete surveys:
  • Pre-course survey
  • TA hours survey
• Play with ChatGPT.