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
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.
1.3 Theory and evidence in social science•7 minutes
1.4 The origins of social science•4 minutes
1.5 Social science as a new way to study society•4 minutes
1.6 Differences between social science and other disciplines•7 minutes
1.7 Summary•2 minutes
4 readings•Total 33 minutes
Assignments & Grading•3 minutes
Suggested Reading List (Optional)•10 minutes
Week 1 General Reading List•10 minutes
Week 1 Classics Reading List•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Week 1 - What is social science?•30 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 20 minutes
Meet and Greet your peers!•10 minutes
Interest in social science•10 minutes
The Big Questions
Module 2•1 hour to complete
Module details
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.
What's included
7 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Show info about module content
7 videos•Total 39 minutes
2.1 Overview•2 minutes
2.2 Inequality•6 minutes
2.3 Family•8 minutes
2.4 Social context and individual outcomes•9 minutes
2.5 Divergence•7 minutes
2.6 Political and social change•4 minutes
2.7 Summary•3 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
Week 2 The Big Questions Reading•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Week 2 - The Big Questions•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
The Big Questions•10 minutes
Social Science Research on China
Module 3•2 hours to complete
Module details
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.
What's included
7 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Show info about module content
7 videos•Total 44 minutes
3.1 Overview•3 minutes
3.2 Change and continuity•8 minutes
3.3 Family•8 minutes
3.4 Population aging•5 minutes
3.5 Migration•4 minutes
3.6 Education, Health, and Wellbeing•12 minutes
3.7 Summary•4 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
Week 3 Social Science Research on China Resources•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Week 3 - Social science research on China•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Notable changes in (Chinese) society•10 minutes
The Social Science Disciplines
Module 4•2 hours to complete
Module details
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.
What's included
7 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Show info about module content
7 videos•Total 59 minutes
4.1 Overview•2 minutes
4.2 Sociology•15 minutes
4.3 Political Science•15 minutes
4.4 Economics•13 minutes
4.5 Anthropology•7 minutes
4.6 Other disciplines•5 minutes
4.7 Summary•2 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
Week 4 Social Science Disciplines Reading•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Week 4 - Social science disciplines•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Social science disciplines•10 minutes
Study Designs
Module 5•2 hours to complete
Module details
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.
What's included
8 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Show info about module content
8 videos•Total 59 minutes
5.1 Overview•2 minutes
5.2 What is a study?•9 minutes
5.3 Experimental and observational studies•6 minutes
5.4 Cross-sectional studies•8 minutes
5.4 Longitudinal studies•16 minutes
5.6 Qualitative and quantitative studies•10 minutes
5.7 Macro and micro studies•7 minutes
5.8 Summary•2 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
Week 5 Study Designs Reading•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Week 5 Study Designs•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Study Designs•10 minutes
Challenges
Module 6•2 hours to complete
Module details
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.
What's included
8 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Show info about module content
8 videos•Total 61 minutes
6.1 Overview•4 minutes
6.2 Representativeness•10 minutes
6.3 Selection bias•13 minutes
6.4 Omitted variables•9 minutes
6.5 Reverse causality•3 minutes
6.6 The ecological fallacy•10 minutes
6.7 Validity of measures•10 minutes
6.8 Summary•2 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
Week 6 Causation vs Correlation•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Week 6 - Challenges•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Challenges in social science research•10 minutes
Cause and Effect
Module 7•2 hours to complete
Module details
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.
What's included
8 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Show info about module content
8 videos•Total 71 minutes
7.1 Overview•3 minutes
7.2 Experimental designs•15 minutes
7.3 Cause and effect in observational studies•8 minutes
7.4 Control variables•12 minutes
7.5 Natural/quasi experiments•14 minutes
7.6 Instrumental variables•8 minutes
7.7 Matching approaches•10 minutes
7.8 Summary•2 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
Week 7 Measuring Causal Relationships•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Week 7 - Cause and effect•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Cause and effect•10 minutes
Final Exam
Module 8•1 hour to complete
Module details
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
What's included
1 video2 assignments
Show info about module content
1 video•Total 6 minutes
Concluding Remarks•6 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
Post-course survey•30 minutes
Final Exam•30 minutes
Instructor
Instructor ratings
Instructor ratings
We asked all learners to give feedback on our instructors based on the quality of their teaching style.
HKUST is a world-class research-intensive university that focuses on science, technology, and business as well as humanities and social science. HKUST offers an international campus, and a holistic and interdisciplinary pedagogy to nurture well-rounded graduates with a global vision, a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and innovative thinking.
OK
Explore more from Education
T
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."
Learner reviews
4.7
52 reviews
5 stars
75%
4 stars
17.30%
3 stars
5.76%
2 stars
1.92%
1 star
0%
Showing 3 of 52
W
WC
5·
Reviewed on Jul 24, 2019
The course is very meaningful to learn the basic skills in social science. It is very valuable for students who wanted to study social science in university to take it as a preview
E
EE
5·
Reviewed on Feb 24, 2019
Great course for laying foundations, but part 1 does not really have much to do with Chinese society. Actually can start from part 2 directly if you already know the methods.
A
AO
5·
Reviewed on Jun 25, 2020
I have a very amazing time in this course . I’m hoping to know more in this topic .
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.