2016/17 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

SLSP5110M Quantitative Research Methods

30 creditsClass Size: 30

Module manager: Lisa Buckner
Email: l.j.buckner@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

In this module students will develop skills which allow them to:
- design survey research (and understand sampling issues, and issues in managing survey research);
- design questionnaires (and understand the process of translation between questions within a questionnaire and general research questions);
- be effective users of SPSS;
- analyse quantitative data including an understanding of measurements of statistical significance and strength of association, and data modelling using regression techniques (simple and multiple OLS, logistic and loglinear); and analyse data creatively and in ways which link with theory development;
- expand their knowledge of, and ability to utilise, a range of secondary data sets;
- understand and evaluate the distinctive contributions and also the limitations of quantitative research, and the socially constructed nature of data sets;
- explore ways of linking data, making connections with other relevant quantitative data and also, where appropriate, with qualitative data;
- be able to communicate the relevant issues effectively in written form.

Syllabus

In this module students will develop skills in the generation, analysis and management of quantitative data. They will develop a critical understanding of a wide range of issues in quantitative research, using concrete research problems and social issues.

The module will include:
- issues in survey design, including sampling and questionnaire design
- 6 computer based 'hands-on' workshops on SPSS for Windows, using data from one or more large scale data sets
- creative data analysis linked to theory development
- measures of statistical significance and of strength of association
- data modelling using regression techniques
- issues in the social construction of data sets
- effective use of secondary data sets, ways of linking data, including the scope for linking quantitative and qualitative data.

Assessment is by way of an essay or a practical data analysis project, and can be related directly to the student's social research interests and disciplinary or cross-disciplinary orientations.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Practical	11	1.00	11.00
Seminar	11	1.00	11.00
Private study hours			278.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Participation in practicals and seminars

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1 x 6,000 word essay involving practical engagement with data generation or analysis	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 10/12/2014

Disclaimer

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