| Unit name | Practical Statistics for Use in Research and Policy |
|---|---|
| Unit code | GEOGM0010 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Mr. Hayes |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
N/A |
| Co-requisites |
N/A |
| School/department | School of Geographical Sciences |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
This course introduces students to concepts and methodologies of social statistics, and how data analysis is used to assess variation in the physical and social world. This course is about quantitative techniques and analysis; looking at how data is collected and issues of survey design; and how data is used in forming policy. At the end of this course, students should: • Understand why we need quantitative methods • Select appropriate analytical techniques (using both descriptive and inferential statistics) • Interpret and analyse quantitative data and output from SPSS (the statistical software we will be using) • Be able to perform and interpret logistic regression • Have an understanding of survey design, sampling, and data collection • Be confident with using and manipulating large-scale datasets • Be able to draw potential policy implications from their own quantitative analysis This is not simply a statistics course – it will give students a good grounding in quantitative methods, data collection, and interpretation and possible policy implications of their findings. Guest lectures will show how statistics are applied in the wider world of industry and the public sector.
Aims: To develop, by debate, discussion, lectures and with hands-on experience, an understanding of key statistical concepts, good practice in the presentation and analysis of social data, awareness of the issues underpinning survey design, and an overview of how to inject geographical thinking into social and environmental data analysis.
On completing the unit the participants will be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes: a knowledge of the difference between descriptive and inferential statistics; knowledge of the core ideas and thinking behind inferential statistics; the ability to perform logistic regression; an overview of how to inject geographical thinking into statistical research; an informed and balanced critique of the limits of statistical evidence in social research and policy; a good understanding of key issues behind survey design; an understanding of and ability to use SPSS for statistical analysis
Lectures, seminars by outside speakers, project-based practical working using SPSS, student presentations.
There will be two components of the assessment for this course: 1. (Worth 30% of overall mark) – short 1,500 word essay on quantitative methods and data analysis – What are they and Why we need them? 2. (Worth 70%) 2,500 word report on a country/area of interest, using data from the World Values Survey. Analysing a key policy area, students will use descriptive and inferential statistical methodologies to infer potential policy implications, in the style of a written report. This will involve data analysis and interpretation; using references from the set readings, and drawing out potential policy implications from their analysis. (A small part (5-10%) of this assessment may come from a provisional presentation on aspects of survey design, that lead into the literature they will be expected to discuss in their main practical).
Harris, R, and Jarvis, C, 2011, Statistics for Geography and Environmental Science, Prentice Hall/Pearson, Harlow. Rose, D, and Sullivan, O, (various years) Introducing Data Analysis for Social Scientists, Open University Press; any edition. Bryman, A, 2001, Social Research Methods, Oxford University Press, Oxford. Ebdon, D, 1985, Statistics in Geography: A Practical Approach, Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford - any edition. Fotheringham, S, 2006, ‘Quantification, Evidence and Positivism’ in ‘Approaches to Human Geography’ by Aitken and Valentine, Sage – available online/in the library. Czaja, R, and Blair, J, 1996, Designing Surveys: A Guide to Decisions and Procedures, Pine Forge Press/Sage, London.
