Methodology

Methodology is the study of scientific research methods. Sociological methodologists study how social science research can be produced most accurately and rigorously by developing and refining the research designs and analytic strategies researchers use to answer sociological questions. 

The methodology area at Purdue is inclusive of a range of methodologies including quantitative, qualitative, and computational approaches. The specific expertise of the faculty in this area includes causal inference, experimental design, machine learning, text analysis, demographic methods, statistical genetics, spatial analysis, mixed methods, in-depth interviewing, ethnography, comparative/historical methods, computational social science, and a range of applied statistics methods such as categorical data analysis, structural equation modeling, and multilevel/longitudinal data analysis.

The methodologists in the area work closely with The Methodology Center at Purdue, an interdisciplinary center focused on health and social science methodology. The Methodology Center also offers an interdisciplinary graduate certificate in advanced methodologies.

FACULTY

Evelina Akimova, Shawn Bauldry, Danielle Kane, Alina Arseniev-Koehler, Marcus Mann, Trent Mize, Jeremy Reynolds, Christie Sennott, Chris Seto, Robin Stryker, Jill Suitor, Felix Tropf, Dan Winchester, Robbee Wedow