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Sociological Research Methods Concentration – What You Need to Know
Launched in Fall 2020, the Sociological Research Methods Concentration is designed to give sociology majors hands-on experience with real-world research. If you’re interested in careers in law, business, teaching, social work, or plan to go to graduate school, this is a great way to build your skills in data collection and analysis.
What’s the Benefit?
This concentration helps you:
- Learn how to design and carry out research using real sociological tools.
- Apply those tools to your own class projects or senior seminar (Capstone).
- Get a stronger foundation in research methods that can set you apart professionally or academically.
📚 How It Works: Overview of Requirements
Good news: You don’t need to take more classes than the regular major requires — just follow a specific path within the 11 required Sociology courses (43–47 units total).
✅ Sociology Major Breakdown (No Concentration)
- Lower Division (3 courses):
- SOC 1
- SOC 5
- Statistics or Logic or SOC 7
- Upper Division (8 courses):
- 2 Theory courses
- 2 Survey Sociology courses
- 3 Elective Sociology courses
- 1 Capstone (SOC 190 or H190B)
More info: Sociology Major Requirements
🔍 To Earn the Research Methods Concentration
You still take 11 courses, but you’ll need to:
- Take specific electives in research methods,
- Earn a B+ or higher in at least 5 key courses, and
- Use one of those methods in your Capstone project.
📘 LOWER DIVISION REQUIREMENTS (2 Courses)
- Sociology 5: Evaluation of Evidence (4 units)
- Sociology 7 or Statistics (4 units)
⚠️ Logic is NOT allowed for the concentration.
🔁 Only Statistics can be transferred from a California Community College.
💡 Recommended (but not required):
Sociology 105: Research Design & Methods (5 units)
📘 UPPER DIVISION – Research Methods Electives (Pick at least 2)
Choose at least 2 of your 3 Sociology electives from this list:
- SOC 106: Quantitative Methods
- SOC 107: Participant Observation
- SOC 108: In-Depth Interviewing
- SOC 271B: Graduate Statistics 1 (permission required)
🎓 CAPSTONE REQUIREMENT – SOC 190 or H190B
Your Capstone (SOC 190 or H190B) must:
- The Capstone project must be approved by faculty for the concentration.
- Your Capstone research paper must use a research method you’ve already taken a course in (e.g., if using quantitative methods, must complete SOC 106 before taking Sociology 190 or H190B).
- Meet specific project/paper criteria set by the department faculty.
- Submit the SOC 190 Exception Form (see department website for the link).
📝 Summary Checklist
✅ Complete all 11 Sociology major requirements
✅ Earn a B+ or higher in at least 5 key research-related courses
✅ Choose 2 electives from the approved Research Methods list
✅ Get faculty approval for your Capstone project
✅ Use a method in Capstone that you already studied in a Research Methods course
📥 How to Apply
Instructions for applying to the concentration can be found at the bottom of the main Sociology Research Methods page.
CAPSTONE SEMINAR PAPER/PROJECT CRITERIA
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA FOR EACH METHODOLOGY:
If a student is clear that they want to pursue the Sociology Research Methods Concentration, then they need to go into the SOC 190 Capstone Seminar attentive to the research method they would like to use, while also being mindful of the criteria that is expected for the concentration (see criteria below). It will be important to discuss with your instructor whether doing original research will be allowed in the course. Independent research projects (such as SOC 199) may not be used toward the Research Methods Concentration.
SOC 106
"We expect you to pose a research question, and identify and analyze a large data set that can assist you in answering it. We encourage the use of NORC, because it has SPSS ready data sets. But, use of any of the large sets from a reputable research center is acceptable (NORC, Pew, Roper, etc...)."
SOC 107
"For research projects based upon ethnographic fieldwork, we expect you
to base your final paper on a minimum of 3-4 sets of field notes that
draw on around 4 hours of observation per set of field notes."
SOC 108
"For research projects based upon in depth interviewing, we expect you
to base your final paper on at least 5-6 interviews."
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HOW TO APPLY FOR THE SOCIOLOGY RESEARCH METHODS CONCENTRATION:
- Complete the Application/Interest Form for the Sociology Research Methods Concentration.
Once you have you earned a B+ or higher in Sociology 5, Sociology 7 (or Statistics), AND at least one upper division research methods course, please fill out the Sociology Research Methods Concentration Application
https://forms.gle/qnJgLCx6FWEyAkiH9
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Complete at least one upper division research methods course from the approved list above prior to taking the Sociology 190 (or H190B) Capstone Seminar. Students must complete an advanced methods course prior to utilizing that specific method in their Capstone Seminar research paper or project.
- Complete the SOC 190 Exception Form. Once you are enrolled in a Sociology 190 (or H190B) Capstone Seminar course, discuss your intended paper/project and methodology with your instructor and fill out the SOC 190 Exception Form. Be sure to use the appropriate Capstone Seminar Paper Criteria outlined above.
https://forms.gle/7J9TKt4k3XPHySYp9
Students will receive an email notification after the department faculty have reviewed their SOC 190 Exception Form. Students with approved submissions will receive a confirmation email with additional instructions, and their SOC 190 or H190B professors will also receive a copy of their submission. For questions, please email cmrojas@berkeley.edu.
Sociology Methods Concentration FAQ for Students