The discipline belongs to the list of compulsory disciplines (code CC01, No 1 in the list) of the educational program "Sociology (language of instruction - English)" for the master degree in the specialty 054 "Sociology", field of knowledge 05 "Social and Behavioral Sciences". Sociology in its scientific and professional dimension is impossible without empirical research. However, the design and realization of sociological research necessarily assumes a stage of conceptualization of the object of research, i.e. its description and analysis in terms of a certain theoretical approach. This discipline aims to deepen and systematize students' knowledge of key theoretical approaches and research paradigms in sociology, as well as to reveal the connection between theoretical approaches and quantitative and qualitative research strategies.