Online Research in Practice

2025/2026

Academic Year

ENG

Instruction in English

Delivered at:

Department of Sociology

Course type:

Elective course

When:

4 year, 1, 2 module

Instructor

Lebedev, Daniil

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The growing availability of digital platforms and tools has made online surveys a widely used method in social research. However, designing and conducting online studies requires a solid understanding of methodological principles, potential biases, and best practices for data collection. This course provides both theoretical foundations and hands-on experience in conducting online surveys, experiments, and other digital data collection methods relevant to social science research. Students will explore key methodological challenges such as sampling strategies, response quality, and ethical considerations in online research. The course will also cover experimental designs in digital environments, platform selection, and techniques for improving data reliability and validity. Practical sessions will allow students to design and implement their own online research projects. By the end of the course, students will have a strong understanding of the methodological principles behind online surveys and experiments, as well as the ability to identify and mitigate potential biases in digital data collection. They will gain practical skills in designing, conducting, and critically evaluating online research using appropriate tools and platforms, preparing them to effectively apply digital methods in social science studies.

Learning Objectives

• The goal of the course is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of methodological principles, practical techniques, and ethical standards in online research. The course aims to equip students with the ability to design, implement, and critically evaluate web-based surveys, experiments, and digital data collection methods (including web scraping, mobile apps, and sensors), while addressing challenges of data quality, sampling, validity, and research ethics. By mastering both theoretical foundations and hands-on applications, students will be prepared to effectively apply digital methods in contemporary social science research.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• Define the main types of online data (surveys, experiments, digital traces, apps, sensors) and explain their opportunities and limitations compared to traditional research.
• Identify major sources of error in web surveys (coverage, sampling, measurement, nonresponse) and compare them with other survey modes.
• Design online questionnaires by applying principles of wording, ordering, and visual usability, and adapt them for mobile and multi-device environments.
• Apply appropriate sampling and recruitment strategies in online research (probability and non-probability), and assess their representativeness and coverage.
• Evaluate response quality by detecting satisficing, careless responding, and automated behavior, and implement techniques to improve participation and data validity.
• Construct experimental and quasi-experimental designs for online environments, use appropriate platforms (e.g., Qualtrics, Prolific, MTurk), and assess validity challenges.
• Apply web scraping tools, mobile apps, and sensor-based approaches for data collection, and integrate passive and active data sources while addressing methodological challenges.
• Apply ethical principles of online research by ensuring informed consent, privacy protection, and responsible treatment of participants, including under conditions of anonymity and deception.
• Critically evaluate emerging methods in digital and mixed-mode research, integrate traditional surveys with online approaches, and analyze the role of big data, paradata, and AI in social science research.

Course Contents

• Introduction to Online Research in the Social Sciences
• Principles of Web Survey Methodology
• Survey Design and Questionnaire Development
• Response Rates, Data Quality, and Measurement Error
• Sampling and Recruitment in Online Research
• Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs in Online Settings
• Web Scraping, Apps, and Sensor-Based Data Collection
• Ethical Issues in Online Research
• Future Directions in Digital and Mixed-Mode Research

Assessment Elements

• Activity
• Midterm Test
  Format: written, 60–75 minutes, mixed question types. Structure: - Closed questions (multiple choice / true–false / matching) - Short open-ended questions - Applied scenario-based questions
• Group Project: Research Design
  Task: Design a detailed plan for an online research study (survey, experiment, or mixed method). Format: group work (up to 4 students), written report (3000–4000 words) + 15-minute presentation Groups of up to 4 students may either: - Propose their own original study, or - Replicate/extend the design of an existing published article (must be approved by instructor). Report Requirements: 1. Research question and rationale - clear formulation of the problem and justification for online methodology. 2. Methodological framework: - Chosen design (survey, experiment, web scraping, apps/sensors). - Sampling/recruitment strategy (probability or non-probability, justification). 3. Instrument design: - Conceptualisation of the main concepts and questions translated to Russian - Consideration of usability (mobile-friendliness, visual design). 4. Data quality and validity considerations - potential errors (coverage, nonresponse, measurement) and strategies to mitigate them. 5. Ethical aspects 6. Expected contributions and limitations - what knowledge this study can produce; methodological constraints. Formatting Requirements: - Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt - Paragraphs: First line indent 1.25 cm; line spacing 1.5; spacing before/after paragraph = 0; left/right alignment = justified - Title Page: Must include student’s full name, assignment type (Practical Analysis or Essay), and title - Page Numbers: Required, in footer or header - Citations and References: Follow APA style (7th edition) for in-text citations and bibliography - Figures and Tables: Numbered and titled; include source or notes where relevant

Interim Assessment

• 2025/2026 2nd module
  0.25 * Activity + 0.25 * Activity + 0.3 * Group Project: Research Design + 0.2 * Midterm Test

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Social research methods, Bryman, A., 2016

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Designing effective web surveys, Couper, M. P., 2008
• Survey methodology, Groves, R. M., 2004

Authors

• DYMOVA POLINA MAKSIMOVNA
• LEBEDEV DANIIL VADIMOVICH