Program at a glance
How much does it cost?
Learn more about how to afford a degree from the University of Nevada, Reno.
How long does it take?
This minor is designed to be completed with any major in four years.
What will I learn in a social research methods minor?
Designed for students in the College of Liberal Arts and related majors, the minor in social research methods and applied statistics prepares you for entry-level social research positions in a variety of settings including government agencies, non-profit organizations and academic research centers.
The minor provides a strong foundation in statistics and well as an introduction to both qualitative and quantiatve research methods. You'll learn about basic principles of experimental design, ethical issues in conducting research and how to develop and test hypotheses.
The minor also includes electives on topics such as social justice and feminist theory, teaching students to apply theory and methodology from those frameworks to conduct research that addresses social problems.
Undergraduate research opportunities
If you want to gain hands-on research experience as you complete your minor, the Office of Undergraduate Research provides a wide range of opportunities for research on campus and in the community. You can browse the mentor directory to find faculty with similar research interests, and you can explore opportunities for grants to help pay the costs of your research project.
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Careers with a minor in social research methods and applied statistics
Lots of industries are investing in research to help them better understand customers and users, design policies that will improve the community, or make existing products or programs more effective. The minor in social research methods and applied statistics gives you the knowledge and experience to work in entry-level social research positions, helping with things like data management, quality control, preparing findings for publication and administering surveys or other kinds of data collection.
Social research often involves blending both quantitative, or statistical, analysis with qualitative research, which can include things like interviews and focus groups. While you may specialize in one kind of research over the other, skills required for social research careers often involve both good people skills and comfort with numbers and statistical analysis. For both kinds of research, the ability to clearly present your findings through verbal and written presentations is critical.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the primary employers of social science research assistants, which generally requires an undergraduate education, include colleges and universities, local government, consulting companies and social advocacy organizations.
You can afford the University of Nevada, Reno
76% of students receive financial aid
Almost everyone is eligible to receive some kind of aid. We offer need-based and merit-based forms of financial aid to help you afford college.
54% of all students graduate with no debt
That's right. More than half of our students leave the University of Nevada, Reno with no student debt.
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