UMass Boston

Graduate Research Seminar

Course #: SOCIOL 694, Class #: 5016, Section #: 01

Description

Among the most important aspects of graduate training is learning how to translate your broader sociological interests into a focused research project that offers contributions to the scientific community. The Graduate Research Seminar is designed to guide MA and PhD students through the process of producing an empirical research paper from beginning to end, including developing a unique research question that is grounded in the existing literature, answering your question through the analysis of quantitative or qualitative data, and communicating your findings to a relevant audience. In this intensive 6.0 credit course, the overarching research project will be scaffolded through assignments that ask you to engage with and build on these steps while integrating feedback from your instructors and peers along the way. The objective is for your final paper to be used for purposes beyond SOCIOL 694 course requirements and to serve as a building block in your larger research agenda. For MA students, the final paper must be accepted by the two instructors to fulfill the capstone requirement for the MA degree. Doctoral students may use the course to prepare for the Empirical Paper Comprehensive Exam. Please note that students need a background in quantitative and/or qualitative research methods prior to enrolling in this course.

Prerequisites

GRADUATE Degree Students Only