Unit information: Advanced Modelling Techniques for Social Sciences (BATH XX50219) in 2022/23

Unit name	Advanced Modelling Techniques for Social Sciences (BATH XX50219)
Unit code	GEOGM0069
Credit points	12
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director
Open unit status	Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)	None
Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)	None
Units you may not take alongside this one
School/department	School of Geographical Sciences
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Unit Information

This is an advanced level quantitative methods course designed to equip students with a range of technical skills covering the a number of major techniques of data analysis used in social sciences but not covered in XX50218 (AQM 1 - Experimental and Quasi-experimental Quantitative Methods in Social Science). The primary aims of the unit are to:

• Introduce a number of approaches to data analysis used in different disciplinary backgrounds across the social sciences.
• Provide students with both the theoretical understanding of these techniques and practical experience in utilizing them.
• Facilitate critical appraisal of research findings using these techniques.
• Provide students with an insight into how these various quantitative methods could be applied in their own field of interest.

Topics to be covered include:

structural equation models, path analysis, social network analysis, latent class models, linear mixed models and meta analysis techniques.

Your learning on this unit

Students will:

1. acquire knowledge of and competence in the use of advanced quantitative techniques drawn from a range of social science disciplines;

2. be able to produce, use and interpret the results from structural equation models;

3. understand and be able to implement path analysis;

4. understand and be able to implement social network analysis;

5. understand and be able to implement latent class models;

6. understand and be able to implement linear mixed models;

7. understand and be able to implement meta analyses.

Skills:

• ability to develop rigorous arguments through precise use of concepts and models;
• ability to critically evaluate different research approaches and apply appropriate design principles and advanced quantitative techniques to particular disciplinary contexts;
• ability to evaluate research findings produced by a range of different advanced empirical methods;
• proficiency in using data from large scale surveys;
• proficiency in construction of new data sets;
• proficiency in descriptive and inferential statistics and ability to use, model and interpret multivariate statistical data and analysis using the range of techniques covered on the unit.

How you will learn

Lectures

How you will be assessed

Coursework (100%)

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. GEOGM0069).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.