2026 (Current Year) Faculty Courses School of Environment and Society Department of Social and Human Sciences Graduate major in Social and Human Sciences
Graduate Methodologies in Politics, Law and Administration S1A
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Social and Human Sciences
- Instructor(s)
- Aiko Hibino
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 3-4 Thu (M-B43(H106))
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- SHS.P463
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2026
- Offered quarter
- 1Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 13, 2026
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
In social science, multiple research methods are used to understand the dynamics of complex assemblages such as local communities and industrial organizations. Through the course, students will master methodologies in social science. In particular, we will focus on the distinction between quantitative and qualitative methods, and the distinction between hypothesis-driven and exploratory methods. However, what we want to explore through the course is the question of how to confront social phenomena that are intrinsically difficult to identify causal relationships. Then, we will discuss how the results of social science can be connected to ongoing social issues while introducing specific examples.
Course description and aims
Students will be able to develop appropriate research designs by mastering the proper use of quantitative and qualitative methods, and the proper use of confirmatory and exploratory methods.
Keywords
quantitative methods, qualitative methods, casual influence, mixed methods
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
students can study about the methodlogy of social science.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | introduction |
none |
| Class 2 | What does it mean to find the cause? |
Understanding textbooks（in Japanese） |
| Class 3 | observation, explanation, theory |
Understanding textbooks（in Japanese） |
| Class 4 | selection bias |
Understanding textbooks（in Japanese） |
| Class 5 | possibility of a case study |
Understanding textbooks（in Japanese） |
| Class 6 | epistemology of mixed methods research |
Understanding textbooks（in Japanese） |
| Class 7 | examples of mixed methods research |
Understanding textbooks（in Japanese） |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
see Japanese
Reference books, course materials, etc.
see Japanese
Evaluation methods and criteria
class discussion(60%) and presentation(40%)
Related courses
- SHS.P441 ： Graduate Lecture in Politics, Law and Administration S1A
- SHS.P442 ： Graduate Lecture in Politics, Law and Administration S1B
- SHS.P443 ： Graduate Lecture in Politics, Law and Administration F1A
- SHS.P444 ： Graduate Lecture in Politics, Law and Administration F1B
- SHS.P462 ： Graduate Methodologies in Politics, Law and Administration F1
Prerequisites
It is desirable to have certain knowledge about social science
Other
Be sure to prepare the textbooks.