SS5096 - Quantitative Social Research (2024/25)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2024/25 | ||||||||
| Module title | Quantitative Social Research | ||||||||
| Module level | Intermediate (05) | ||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||
| School | School of Social Sciences and Professions | ||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2024/25(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) | No instances running in the year |
Module summary
This module analyses the research process in relation to quantitative methodologies from the formulation of a research problem through appropriate collection and analysis of data to the writing-up of results in the form of a research report. The module sets out the research contexts in which this methodology is appropriate and discusses the skills and limitations associated with surveys as an important research method in sociology. At the same time, the module introduces students to British Social attitudes as one of the main quantitative data sets on social attitudes in the UK.
Prior learning requirements
None. Available for Study Abroad? YES
Syllabus
This module will focus on the following key subjects:
● The relevance of quantitative research in sociology
● What is survey and what is variable
● Introduction to SPSS
● Using SPSS for describing and summarising variables (frequencies, measures of central tendency, graphical presentation)
● Using SPSS for conducting bivariate analysis (t-test, ANOVA, correlation and crosstabulation)
● Interpreting results of SPSS analysis and writing a research report
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Each teaching session runs through three hours long workshop in a computer lab. Tutorial support is offered throughout the module by way of tutor availability during office hours, discussions and email. In workshops students will be actively engaged in practical activities related to quantitative data analysis with support from their tutor. In addition, students will be expected to submit three sets of homework that will be an opportunity to receive formative feedback on all stages of their learning.
This module will be supported with relevant WebLearn pages where all lecture and workshop notes, relevant literature, SPSS manuals, and other sources will be available. All sessions will be recorded with Panopto and will be always available to students.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this module students will:
1. Develop an informed grasp of the strengths and limitations of quantitative research
2. Be able to identify and consider the ethical issues
3. Enhance their competence in using SPSS for quantitative data analysis
4. Expand their skill in writing reports based on quantitative data analysis
Assessment strategy
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT – Three short homework tasks – PASS/FAIL
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT – Quantitative analysis report