Development of a Quantitative Research Laboratory for Undergraduate Education in Sociology

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

This project funds a networked personal computer laboratory for sociology. This pedagogical approach premises that sociology is becoming an applied information science. The new Quantitative Research Laboratory for sociology helps to define sociology as an information-based laboratory science. It serves as the hub of the department, housing large quantities of data, integrating several methodological as well as substantive courses, and orienting students to the more scientific aspects of sociological inquiry. The technological hub integrates methodological training by providing a common platform for all methods courses. Several substantive courses, as well as the methods courses, are further integrated by a community area study. Treating sociology as an applied information science with an emphasis on laboratory-based training improves undergraduate education of sociology majors in several ways: (1) it improves the statistical analysis skills of students; (2) it defines and portrays an undergraduate curriculum that more closely resembles the training and orientation of graduate studies and the work performed by professional sociologists; (3) it trains undergraduate students on the types of equipment and software applications they are likely to encounter in the workplace; and (4) it creates a stronger position for sociology as an undergraduate major in the postindustrial economy.