In this course the students are introduced to the role and the character of social science research and its application to developing countries. The course focuses on scientific approach to inquiry: approaches to knowledge, assumptions of scientific inquiry, the functions of scientific methodology; social sciences and the production of knowledge; main stages of a research process: formulation of research proposals, problem identification, definition, and justification, research objectives, conceptual framework, formulation of indicators and hypotheses, levels of measurement, research methods, research design, sampling procedures; classification of surveys, design of questionnaires; qualitative data collection methods; participatory research techniques, participatory rural appraisal (PRA), rapid rural appraisal; data management; presenting empirical data; interpreting research results; the organization and writing of a research report; evaluation of research performance.