Abstract

DIAZ-DE-RADA, Vidal. Innovative Developments in the Field of Social Research Techniques and Methods: the Case of Applied Sociology Studies at the Universidad Pública de Navarra/Public University of Navarra. Innovar [online]. 2012, vol.22, n.45, pp.83-96. ISSN 0121-5051.

The current Curricula for Sociology degrees are enlarging the component applied to the scientific study of social reality. This situation generates certain "imbalances" when we consider the type of student who enrolls in Sociology, namely students with very little statistical/mathematical knowledge coming as most of them do from the high school Humanities and Social Sciences programs. Their deficient mathematical training and desire to study in the "literary" fields implies the need for teaching that, in its early stages, must focus on eliminating the mystery of numbers to subsequently transmit the importance of social indicators (containing numerical information) for knowledge of social reality. This text presents pedagogical resources and strategies used in the Degree Program in Sociology (Universidad Pública de Navarra) in their course on Social Research Methods and Techniques I during the 2009/10 and 2010/11 academic years. The use of active teaching methodologies, specifically Learning Based on Problems using real practical cases, has increased the number of students who take the course along with the number of those who pass while improving average grades.

Keywords : learning based on problems; cooperative learning; research methods and techniques.

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