Development of a Quantitative Research Laboratory for Undergraduate Education in Sociology

该项目为社会学的联网个人计算机实验室提供资金。 这种教学方法的前提是社会学正在成为一门应用信息科学。 新的社会学定量研究实验室有助于将社会学定义为基于信息的实验室科学。 它作为部门的枢纽，容纳大量的数据，整合了几种方法以及实质性的课程，并引导学生社会学探究的更科学的方面。 技术中心通过为所有方法课程提供一个共同平台，整合了方法培训。 几个实质性课程，以及方法课程，进一步整合了一个社区领域的研究。 把社会学作为一门应用信息科学，强调以实验室为基础的训练，从几个方面改进了社会学专业的本科教育：（1）提高了学生的统计分析技能;（2）它定义和描绘了一个更接近于研究生学习的训练和方向以及专业社会学家所做工作的本科课程;（3）它训练本科生在工作场所可能遇到的设备和软件应用程序的类型;（4）它为社会学创造了一个更强大的地位，作为后工业经济的本科专业。

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.