uwloo

SDS 251RSocial Research

Units
0.50
Faculty
Arts
Subject
Social Development Studies

When it runs

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

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

This course provides students with a fundamental grounding in social science research. Students will examine various conceptual and practical approaches to planning research and learn to apply both qualitative and quantitative methods to investigating social science research questions.

Prerequisites

  • Students must be in level 2A or higher

Antirequisites

  • Complete all of the following
    • Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
      • LS221 - Research Methods (0.50)
      • PSYCH291 - Basic Research Methods (0.50)
      • SRF220 - Introduction to Research Methods (0.50)
      • SOC221 - 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 001690126 / 50MW 10:00–11:20
LEC 081690947 / 60Online or by arrangement

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 08165240 / 80Online or by arrangement
LEC 701245715 / 9999Online or by arrangement

Reviewed on UW Flow

30% liked it57% easy55% useful

From 30 ratings and 10 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • Mid class - didn't learn anything, - maybe if you read the textbook it will be easier but it didn't help me

    May 2025 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Took online with Katy Cook. I am entering 3A and put off taking this course based on poor reviews and things I have heard. Unfortunately it is not avoidable, I needed it. To set the scene, I am achieving high 80/low 90s average at Waterloo. So, one could say that I am capable. Yet, this course, which claims is to teach you how to write and research a) does not actually teach you this b)seems to assess students as less capable then their other course grades would point to c)is marked harder then any course I have taken thus far at Waterloo, and is very unclear in expectations and directions. Papers were ungraded for several weeks, leaving uncertainty when approaching a new assignments and…

    Dec 2024 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • I was considering dropping this course but I was a day too late. It involves a Literature Review which you can either do alone or in a group of up to four people. Do not work in a group - other students have no idea what they're doing and you're carrying extra work than you would do it alone.

    Oct 2024 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • The course was okay. If you're interested in social research then it may be useful. The TA was a tough marker, expecting us to know the subtleties of surveys, interview guides as if this is a 4th year course. The exam was a lot harder than I anticipated.

    Aug 2023 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Immersive experience taking this class (online). Major assignments build off one another. Lots of work, so not "easy," but if you put in the effort, it's quite interesting and rewarding. Also, super helpful for those who plan on pursuing research in any capacity. TA was outstanding at providing actionable feedback, which helped increase my grades in the latter half of the course.

    Apr 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

2 posts and comments in 2 threads mention SDS 251R, 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.

Spring 2019

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: “… 206 SCI 238 SCI 267 SCI 395 SDS 131R SDS 150R SDS 205R SDS 210R SDS 231R SDS 242R SDS 250R SDS 251R SDS 312R SDS 331R SDS 353R SDS 354R SDS 355R SDS 358R SDS 398R SDS 399R SDS 400R SDS 405R SDS 425R SDS 440R SDS 449R SDS 450R SDS 451R SDS 490R SDS 495R SDS 499A SDS 499B SE 101 …”

View on RedditRemove this

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar