Social Science Approaches to the Study of Chinese Society Part 1 from Coursera

This course seeks to turn learners into informed consumers of social science research. It introduces concepts, standards, and principles of social science research to the interested non-expert. Learners who complete the course will be able to assess evidence and critically evaluate claims about important social phenomena. It reviews the origins and development of social science, describes the process of discovery in contemporary social science research, and explains how contemporary social science differs from apparently related fields. It describes the goals, basic paradigms, and methodologies of the major social science disciplines. It offers an overview of the major questions that are the focus of much contemporary social science research, overall and for China. Special emphasis is given to explaining the challenges that social scientists face in drawing conclusions about cause and effect from their studies, and offers an overview of the approaches that are used to overcome these challenges. Explanation is non-technical and does not involve mathematics. Statistics and quantitative methods are not covered.

Explore the big questions in social science and learn how you can be a critical, informed consumer of social science research.

Course Overview video: https://youtu.be/QuMOAlwhpvU

After you complete Part 1, enroll in Part 2 to learn how to be a PRODUCER of Social science research.

Part 2: https://www.coursera.org/learn/social-science-research-chinese-society

What's inside

Syllabus

What is social science?

Welcome to Social Science Approaches to the Study of Chinese Society Part 1! Part 1 focuses on being a CONSUMER of social science research. Take some time to review the Course Overview video and the assignments for this course. In Week 1, we will explore What is Social Science. By the end of this week, you will be able to understand the differences between social science from humanities, natural and life sciences, outline the origins of social science and have a grasp of key definitions and terms.

The Big Questions

In Week 2, we will focus on The Big Questions. By the end of this week, you should have some sense of the range of questions that are the focus of much social science research. The next week, Week 3, will expand on China specific research.

Social Science Research on China

In Week 3, we will focus on Social Science Research on China. By the end of this week, you should have some sense of major topics in current social science research on China.

The Social Science Disciplines

In Week 4, we will focus on The Social Science Disciplines. By the end of this week, you should have a better understanding of the emphases of each of the major social science disciplines, and the differences between the disciplines.

Study Designs

In Week 5, we will focus on Study Designs. By the end of this week, you should understand the differences between the most common types of study, and have some sense of the settings in which each is most relevant.

Challenges

In Week 6, we will focus on Challenges. By the end of this week, you should be able to have a better understanding of key challenges to interpreting results from social science research, and be able to reflect on potential problems with study design.

Cause and Effect

In Week 7, we will focus on Cause and Effect. By the end of this week, you should understand the basic approaches that social scientists follow in trying to establish that an observed relationship reflects cause and effect.

Final Exam

You've reached the final exam week! Complete the final exam and post-course survey. Your feedback can help us improve future iterations of the course. Good luck on the exam and hope to see you in Social Science Approaches Part 2. https://www.coursera.org/learn/social-science-research-chinese-society

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Taught by instructors who are recognized for their work in the field

Develops critical thinking skills, which are essential for making informed decisions

Examines social science research, which is highly relevant to understanding Chinese society

Designed for non-experts, making it accessible to a wide audience

Provides an overview of major social science disciplines

Requires a good understanding of basic social science concepts

Reviews summary

Well-received chinese social science intro

According to students, this course provides an excellent overview of social science and the steps involved in research. Learners say that the exams in this basic course really test knowledge, so making notes while studying is helpful. One learner found the second part of the course particularly helpful from the researcher's viewpoint.

Students are pleased with the high quality of this course.

"Thanks a lot for this very qualitative program."

"I have a very amazing time in this course."

Provides an excellent overview of Chinese social science research.

"Excellent, thank you."

"Highly reccomended to do if you would like a great overview of social science."

Exams are challenging and require note-taking to pass.

"The exams really test your knowledge so do make notes whilst studying."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Social Science Approaches to the Study of Chinese Society Part 1 with these activities:

Read a Classic Social Science Text

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Reinforce your understanding of the course's key concepts by reviewing a seminal work in the field.

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Acquire a copy of the book and set aside some time to read it.
As you read, take notes on the key concepts and theories.
Discuss the book with a friend or colleague to further solidify your understanding.

Practice Writing Research Proposals

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Sharpen your ability to clearly and effectively communicate your research ideas and methods by practicing writing research proposals.

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Identify a potential research topic of interest.
Outline the main goals, objectives, and methods of your proposed research.
Write a draft of your research proposal.
Seek feedback on your draft from a peer or mentor and revise as needed.

Complete Practice Problems on Social Science Research

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Improve your understanding and problem-solving skills by working through a series of practice problems related to the course material.

Browse courses on Social Science Research

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Locate practice problems or quizzes online or in textbooks.
Attempt to solve the problems independently.
Check your answers and review the explanations provided.

Two other activities

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Create a Social Science Research Poster

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Showcase your understanding of a specific social science research project or topic by creating a visually appealing poster summarizing the key findings.

Browse courses on Social Science Research

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Identify a topic or project that interests you.
Conduct some research to gather information about the topic.
Develop a visual design for your poster.
Create a poster that clearly and concisely presents the key findings of your research.

Conduct a Social Science Research Project

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Design and carry out a small-scale research project to apply the principles and methods of social science research you learn in the course.

Browse courses on Social Science Research

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Identify a research question of interest.
Develop a research design and methodology.
Collect and analyze data.
Write a research report.

Career center

Learners who complete Social Science Approaches to the Study of Chinese Society Part 1 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help businesses make better decisions. They may specialize in a particular area, such as marketing data analysis, financial data analysis, or healthcare data analysis. This course may be useful for those who wish to pursue a career as a Data Analyst, as it provides a foundation in the principles and methods of social science research. The course also covers the challenges that social scientists face in drawing conclusions about cause and effect from their studies, which is an important skill for anyone who wants to conduct data analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Social Worker

Social Workers help people overcome social and economic problems. They may specialize in a particular area, such as child welfare, mental health, or addiction. This course may be useful for those who wish to pursue a career as a Social Worker, as it provides a foundation in the principles and methods of social science research. The course also covers the challenges that social scientists face in drawing conclusions about cause and effect from their studies, which is an important skill for anyone who wants to effectively help people overcome social and economic problems.

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Psychologist

Psychologists study the mind and behavior. They may specialize in a particular area, such as clinical psychology, developmental psychology, or social psychology. This course may be useful for those who wish to pursue a career as a Psychologist, as it provides a foundation in the principles and methods of social science research. The course also covers the major questions that are the focus of much contemporary social science research, which is important for anyone who wants to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in psychology.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research and analyze public policy issues. They may specialize in a particular area, such as education policy, healthcare policy, or environmental policy. This course may be useful for those who wish to pursue a career as a Policy Analyst, as it provides a foundation in the principles and methods of social science research. The course also covers the challenges that social scientists face in drawing conclusions about cause and effect from their studies, which is an important skill for anyone who wants to conduct policy analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Economist

Economists study the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. They may specialize in a particular area, such as monetary policy, international trade, or labor economics. This course may be useful for those who wish to pursue a career as an Economist, as it provides a foundation in the principles and methods of social science research. The course also covers the major questions that are the focus of much contemporary social science research, which is important for anyone who wants to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in economics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Economist

Market Researcher

Market Researchers study consumer behavior and trends. They may specialize in a particular area, such as product research, brand research, or advertising research. This course may be useful for those who wish to pursue a career as a Market Researcher, as it provides a foundation in the principles and methods of social science research. The course also covers the major questions that are the focus of much contemporary social science research, which is important for anyone who wants to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in market research.

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Teacher

Teachers educate students at all levels, from preschool through college. They may specialize in a particular subject area, such as math, science, or history. This course may be useful for those who wish to pursue a career as a Teacher, as it provides a foundation in the principles and methods of social science research. The course also covers the challenges that social scientists face in drawing conclusions about cause and effect from their studies, which is an important skill for anyone who wants to effectively teach students about social science topics.

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Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers oversee the operations of nonprofit organizations. They may specialize in a particular area, such as fundraising, program development, or marketing. This course may be useful for those who wish to pursue a career as a Nonprofit Manager, as it provides a foundation in the principles and methods of social science research. The course also covers the challenges that social scientists face in drawing conclusions about cause and effect from their studies, which is an important skill for anyone who wants to effectively manage a nonprofit organization.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Manager

Historian

Historians study the past. They may specialize in a particular area, such as American history, European history, or Asian history. This course may be useful for those who wish to pursue a career as a Historian, as it provides a foundation in the principles and methods of social science research. The course also covers the major questions that are the focus of much contemporary social science research, which is important for anyone who wants to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in history.

See salaries and explore the career path for Historian

Journalist

Journalists research and write stories about current events and issues. They may specialize in a particular area, such as politics, economics, or sports. This course may be useful for those who wish to pursue a career as a Journalist, as it provides a foundation in the principles and methods of social science research. The course also covers the challenges that social scientists face in drawing conclusions about cause and effect from their studies, which is an important skill for anyone who wants to produce accurate and objective journalism.

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Sociologist

Sociologists study human societies and social behavior. They may specialize in a particular area, such as social stratification, crime, or the family. This course may be useful for those who wish to pursue a career as a Sociologist, as it provides a foundation in the principles and methods of social science research. The course also covers the major questions that are the focus of much contemporary social science research, which is important for anyone who wants to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in sociology.

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Political Scientist

Political Scientists study the theory and practice of politics. They may specialize in a particular area, such as American politics, comparative politics, or international relations. This course may be useful for those who wish to pursue a career as a Political Scientist, as it provides a foundation in the principles and methods of social science research. The course also covers the major questions that are the focus of much contemporary social science research, which is important for anyone who wants to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in political science.

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Anthropologist

Anthropologists study human societies and cultures. They may specialize in a particular area, such as cultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology, or biological anthropology. This course may be useful for those who wish to pursue a career as an Anthropologist, as it provides a foundation in the principles and methods of social science research. The course also covers the major questions that are the focus of much contemporary social science research, which is important for anyone who wants to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in anthropology.

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Geographer

Geographers study the Earth's surface and its human and natural environments. They may specialize in a particular area, such as physical geography, human geography, or environmental geography. This course may be useful for those who wish to pursue a career as a Geographer, as it provides a foundation in the principles and methods of social science research. The course also covers the major questions that are the focus of much contemporary social science research, which is important for anyone who wants to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in geography.

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Social Scientist

Social Scientists use scientific methods to study human behavior and society. They may specialize in a particular area, such as economics, sociology, or psychology. This course may be useful for those who wish to pursue a career as a Social Scientist, as it provides a foundation in the principles and methods of social science research. The course also covers the challenges that social scientists face in drawing conclusions about cause and effect from their studies, which is an important skill for anyone who wants to conduct social science research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Scientist