Unit information: Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences in 2021/22

Unit name	Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences
Unit code	SOCIM0011
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. George Kyroglou
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

This unit is designed as an introduction to research design and data analysis in quantitative social research. It includes questionnaire design; sampling and problems of missing data; sofftware packages - Word, Excel, Powerpoint, SPSS; inputting and manipulating data; deriving variables; reliability and scaling; levels of measurement- nominal, ordinal and interval; distributions and three-way tables; crosstabulations; chi-square test; causality and control variables; measures of association; secondary data analysis. The emphasis is on becoming a critical and intelligent user of statistics. Students will be guided through the basics of descriptive statistics to structured analysis using hypothesis testing. By the end of this unit students will be able to evaluate the research practice, data and interpretations of others and conduct their own analyses.

Aims:

• To familiarise students with aspects of computing most relevant to analysis of quantitative datasets in sociological research

• To make students aware of the range of quantitative social research methods and their appropriateness for specific tasks and research questions

• To provide practical training in data handling and hypothesis testing using SPSS for Windows

• To encourage an enquiring and critical approach to data analysis

• To give students a realistic experience of quantitative research based on the analysis of a full secondary dataset.

Intended Learning Outcomes

• An awareness of main secondary data sources and the ability to access them

• Capacity to investigate a substantive area of sociological interest using appropriate quantitative tools

• Awareness of strengths and limitations of data sources and analytical techniques

• Ability to utilise data analysis software with proficiency and confidence

• Capacity to evaluate the research practice, data and interpretations of others

Teaching Information

The unit will be taught through blended learning methods, including a mix of synchronous and asynchronous teaching activities

Assessment Information

A piece of secondary data analysis equ ivalent to a 4000 word essay.

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. SOCIM0011).

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.