Social Science Research Methods

Description
The concentration in  certificate program prepares students to acquire, manage and analyze a broad range of data on human thought and human behavior. Data can be qualitative (e.g., text, images, sound) or quantitative (e.g., direct observation, surveys, GIS). Data acquisition skills may include the downloading and managing of information from online sources or the primary collection of data in surveys or by direct observation. A key feature of this program is a focus on data analysis so that students will be able to analyze any data they collect. All students in this program will demonstrate skills in statistical analysis plus skills in a selection of methods related to their interests.

Requirements

• Students must complete a minimum of 18 credit hours including 12 of upper division hours for this concentration.
• All courses must be completed with a grade of “C” (2.00) or higher.
• A minimum 12 hours must be taken in courses offered at ASU.

Core 3 Hours Required

STP 452 Multivariate Statistics or an equivalent course approved by academic advisor (3)

Electives (12 credit hours; choose any four upper-division courses from the following list)

AML 441 Mathematical Concepts and Tools in Sustainability (3)

ASB 430 Social Simulation (CS) (4)

FAS 361 Research Methods (L or SB) (3)

FAS 460 Leadership, Research, and Collaboration in Community Change (3)

FAS 461 Community Action Research Experience Research Internship (3)

GCU 373 Introduction to Geographic Information Science (SG) (4)

GCU 442 Geographical Analysis of Transportation (SB) (3)

GCU 496 Geographic Research Methods (L) (3)

GIS 311 Geographic Information Science II (CS) (4)

GIS 321 Programming Principles in GIS (3)

GIS 322 Spatial Data Structures and Algorithms (3)

GIS 341 Introduction to Cartography and Georepresentation (CS) (3)

GIS 351 Air Photo Interpretation (3)

GIS 431 Spatial Databases (3)

GIS 441 Geographics Interactive and Animated Cartography and Geovisualization (CS) (3)

GIS 461 Optimization Fundamentals for Spatial Analysis (3)

GIS 462 Location Analysis and Modeling (3)

GIS 470 Statistics for Geographers (CS) (3)

GIS 471 Geographic Information Analysis (3)

GIS 472 Spatial Regression Analysis (3)

POS 301 Empirical Political Inquiry (SB) or SGS 305 Empirical Political Inquiry (SB) (3)

POS 401 Political Statistics (CS) or SGS 401 Political Statistics (CS) (3)

PUP 424 Planning Methods (4)

PUP 481 Optimization Fundamentals for Spatial Analysis (3)

PUP 482 Location Analysis and Modeling (3)

SOC 389 Ethnographic Field Lab (1-6)

SOC 391 Research Methods (L or SB) (3)

SOC 433 Applied Demography (SB) (3)

STP 310 Design and Analysis of Experiments (3)

STP 311 Regression & Time Series Analyses (3)

STP 315 Statistical Computing (3)

STP 420 Introductory Applied Statistics (CS) (3)

STP 429 Experimental Statistics (CS) (3)

STP 450 Nonparametric Statistics (3)

STP 460 Categorical Data Analysis (3)

Required Capstone Course (3 credit hours)

ASB 499 Individualized Instruction or an equivalent capstone course approved by academic advisor (3)