Experimental Methods in Sociology
SOCIOL 2230
Subject & Catalog Number
Course Information
Description
Experiments are a powerful tool for researchers interested in causal inference. This course will introduce students to the logic, design, implementation, and analysis of experiments in sociological research. We will begin by developing an understanding of how experimental research designs can address some of the central threats to causal identification. The course will then cover the relative advantages and disadvantages of different experimental approaches, techniques for analyzing experimental data, strategies for dealing with the challenges that often arise with experiments, combining experiments with other methods of inquiry, and current debates and frontiers in experimental research. Throughout the course, the role of experiments in developing and testing social theory will be emphasized. The course will culminate with students developing an experimental research design related to their own scholarly interests.
Recommended Prep
This course is primarily for graduate students in Sociology. Undergraduate Sociology concentrators or secondaries should have completed SOCIOL 1128: Models of Social Science Research and SOCIOL 1156: Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences (or an equivalent statistics course) prior to taking this course.
Available for Harvard Cross Registration
