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LS 221Research Methods

Units
0.50
Faculty
Arts
Subject
Legal Studies
Cross-listed
SOC 221

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 5 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

An introductory survey of the research techniques commonly employed by sociologists, criminologists, and legal studies researchers. The formulation of research designs appropriate to various kinds of intellectual problems in social science is stressed.

Prerequisites

  • Complete all of the following
    • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
      • LS101 - Introduction to Legal Studies (0.50)
      • SOC101 - Introduction to Sociology (0.50)
      • SOC101R - Introduction to Sociology (0.50)
    • Students must be in level 2A or higher

Antirequisites

  • Complete all of the following
    • Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
      • PSYCH291 - Basic Research Methods (0.50)
      • SDS251R - Social Research (0.50)
      • SRF220 - Introduction to Research Methods (0.50)
    • Not completed any of the following:
    • Not open to students enrolled in a Faculty of Mathematics program

Leads to

Fall 2026 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 00132994 / 60Th 14:30–17:20
LEC 002799185 / 80T 18:30–21:20
LEC 003912439 / 43Th 14:30–17:20

Winter 2027 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 00132110 / 180W 18:30–21:20
LEC 701121872 / 9999Online or by arrangement

Reviewed on UW Flow

48% liked it66% easy75% useful

From 21 ratings and 9 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • It's a required course so. It wasn't too bad and the lectures were not boring.

    May 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • This class isn't so bad as long as you have Sarah. Most of the grades come from discussion posts that help you to write the paper, which is the rest of the grades. Pretty good class.

    Mar 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • The class consists of weekly discussion posts worth 40% and a final research paper worth 60%. Discussion posts are easy but you don't get feedback from TAs or the prof on how to enhance the information for the final paper which sucks.

    Dec 2025 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Ashley Ryan is one of the nicest profs. She made the content interesting even for someone who isn't interested in research. The final paper was pretty easy.

    May 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • This is a great class since you learn a lot and may actually end up having to use it. The final research paper can be overwhelming so although I usually say you can get away with doing work at the last minute, I would recommend starting that as soon as you can.

    May 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

7 posts and comments in 7 threads mention LS 221, October 2017 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.

Winter 2024

LS 221 Textbook 2 points, 0 comments

u/makisbiggestfan25: “has anyone who has taken the course in the past found an alternate way of obtaining this textbook online? i dont mind purchasing it if there are no ways to get it but i would appreciate if anyone had sources :D ty :DD”

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Spring 2019

People who are/ have done legal studies at Waterloo 0 points, 4 comments

“How hard is it? Do u like it? How’s the coop?”

u/Compiments: “Am only a handful of LS courses into it but I like it well enough so far, for the most part 👀 There's a good amount of variety course-wise imo depending on your areas of interest (i.e. …”

u/Compiments: “… most are like that, at least not any of the ones I've done or looked into myself (minus LS221 but that report was nicely spread out over the entire term), but ye🏃 Feel free to ask anything, friend👏 Am glad to help out if I have the info”

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Spring 2018

LS221 2 points, 2 comments

u/Compiments: “It's supposed to be research methods in a sociology type perspective but this course is labeled as not open to mathematics students, why is this? Does it overlap with content from a required math course (bc no antireqs are listed for it either)? …”

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Winter 2018

Fall 2017

Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments

“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”

u/Jackhofmann: “PSYCH 483 PSYCH 484 PSYCH 485 PSYCH 486 PSYCH 490R PSYCH 499A PSYCH 499B PSYCH 499C PSYCH 621 PSYCH 630 PSYCH 677A PSYCH 704A PSYCH 704B PSYCH 707 PSYCH 710 PSYCH 714 PSYCH 717 PSYCH 720A PSYCH 721A …”

u/Jackhofmann: “… 101R KOREA 102R KOREA 201R KOREA 202R KOREA 301R LAT 101 LAT 201 LAT 600 LS 101 LS 201 LS 221 LS 227 LS 229 LS 235 LS 240 LS 271 LS 272 LS 273 LS 283 LS 291 LS 292 LS 300 LS 306 LS 319 LS 322 LS 325 LS 327 LS 344 LS 351 LS 366 LS 374 LS 386 LS 401 LS 402 LS 403 LS 428 LS 434 LS …”

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Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar