course-details-portlet

SOS1002

Research Methods in the Social Sciences

Assessments and mandatory activities may be changed until September 20th.

Credits 15
Level Foundation courses, level I
Course start Autumn 2025 / Spring 2026
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction Norwegian
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Multiple choice exam/School exam

About

About the course

Course content

The students will learn how to collect various forms of social science data (surveys, observations, public documents) and analyze this through various techniques (tables, correlation, regression and qualitative descriptions).

Learning outcome

Knowledge - the student shall:

  • have a basic understanding of the various research methods used in the social sciences, including the formulation of a research question, choice of research design, selection of investigative units and collection of data.
  • have knowledge and sight as to quantitative analysis, including analysis of contingency tables, correlation analyses, linear and logistical regression analyses and the more important tests and generalization methods tied to this forms of analyses.
  • have the ability to analyze qualitative data materials from interviews and observations and present the sources.
  • know the basic rules of research ethics.

Skills - the student shall demonstrate the ability to:

  • write an academic article in the social sciences based on quantitative data and quantitative analysis.
  • write an academic article in the social sciences based on qualitative data and qualitative analysis.
  • use computer software for statistical analysis.

Learning methods and activities

4 hours of lectures every week throughout the semester. Four hours of group discussion/pc lab every week with exercise supervision.

Compulsory assignments

  • Term paper qualitative methods
  • Term paper quantitative methods

Further on evaluation

The final grade in the course is based on two partial assessments: a multiple choice exam under supervision that counts 20 % and a written school exam that counts 20 %.

In case of retakes, partial assessments can be taken up individually.

Required previous knowledge

None.

Course materials

To be decided at the start of the semester.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
SVSOS107 15 sp
SOS6003 15 sp
SOS3050 7.5 sp
SOS3280 7.5 sp
IDRSA1004 15 sp Autumn 2007
SOS3060 15 sp Autumn 2007
SOS3061 15 sp Autumn 2007
IDRSA1017 7.5 sp Autumn 2017
PSY1011 7.5 sp Autumn 2017
PSY2017 7.5 sp Autumn 2017
PSYPRO4111 7.5 sp Autumn 2017
PSYPRO4317 7.5 sp Autumn 2017
PSYK4120 7.5 sp Autumn 2021
PSY1120 7.5 sp Autumn 2021
PSY1111 7.5 sp Autumn 2022
MET3001 7.5 sp Autumn 2024
PED1005 7.5 sp Autumn 2024
PED2005 7.5 sp Autumn 2025
This course has academic overlap with the courses in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject areas

  • Social Sciences and Sports Sciences
  • Social Sciences
  • Sociology
  • Political Science

Contact information

Course coordinator

Lecturers

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Sociology and Political Science

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Multiple choice exam/School exam
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025

Multiple choice exam
Weighting 20/100 Examination aids Code H Date 2025-12-18 Time 15:00 Duration 2 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment
Place and room for multiple choice exam

The specified room can be changed and the final location will be ready no later than 3 days before the exam. You can find your room location on Studentweb.

Sluppenvegen 14
Room SL310 hvit sone
45 candidates
Room SL311 brun sone
72 candidates
Room SL415
44 candidates
Room SL310 blå sone
48 candidates
School exam
Weighting 80/100 Examination aids Code H Date 2025-12-06 Time 09:00 Duration 5 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment
Place and room for school exam

The specified room can be changed and the final location will be ready no later than 3 days before the exam. You can find your room location on Studentweb.

Sluppenvegen 14
Room SL410 blå sone
51 candidates
Room SL410 orange sone
58 candidates
Room SL111 blå sone
36 candidates
Room SL110 hvit sone
38 candidates
Room SL111 lyseblå sone
2 candidates
Room SL111 grønn sone
50 candidates

Ordinary examination - Spring 2026

Multiple choice exam
Weighting 20/100 Examination aids Code H Duration 2 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment Place and room Not specified yet.
School exam
Weighting 80/100 Examination aids Code H Duration 5 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment Place and room Not specified yet.