|
 Academic Year:
| 2012/3 |
| Owning Department/School:
| Department of Social & Policy Sciences |
| Credits:
| 6 |
| Level:
| Intermediate (FHEQ level 5) |
| Period: |
Semester 2 |
| Assessment:
| EX 100% |
| Supplementary Assessment: | Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites:
| |
| Description:
| Aims: To introduce students to the main assumptions, concepts and techniques of descriptive and inferential statistics and to establish competence sufficient for basic as well as relatively advanced data analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit students are expected to be able to: * recognise variables according to different levels of measurement and standardise scores; * to use the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to apply simple and advanced SPSS procedures for describing and analysing quantitative data; * to explore statistically significant differences (chi square test, t-test and ANOVA) and the strength of association between continuous variables (Pearson's R); * create models of causal relationships between variables (various forms of regression analysis and path analysis); * understand the broader theoretical and methodological issues that arise when using quantitative methods in social research. Skills: Intellectual skills * To critically evaluate and assess research and evidence as well as a variety of other information * To utilise problem solving skills Professional Practical Skills * To effectively and efficiently apply principles of sociological/social policy analysis within a variety of environments Transferable/Key Skills * Advanced information and computing technology skills (i.e. SPSS and other forms of computer based data analysis programmes, producing tables, spreadsheets, graphs and charts, statistical tests) * Statistical analysis of bivariate and multivariate relationships between variables * Team and group working skills * To solve problems in a variety of situations Knowledge outcomes for each programme Sociology and Soc/HRM * Knowledge of the current developments in practice and research in a European and world context SPA and Sociology and Social Policy * Knowledge of techniques for the evaluation of policy outcomes * Knowledge of the main sources of data about social welfare and a critical approach to the use of these Social Sciences * Understanding of how to apply knowledge and concepts from across various social sciences disciplines * Knowledge of the main sources of data about social issues and a critical approach to their use. Content: * Methodological debates in quantitative social research * Basic descriptive statistics * Measures of central tendency and variability * The normal distribution and z-scores * Overview of tests for Nominal, Ordinal and Interval/Ratio variables * Introduction to inferential statistics and sampling * Estimates, Hypothesis testing and Predictions * Tests of significance (the chi-square test; T-tests and ANOVA) * Correlation, various forms of regression and path analysis. |
| Programme availability: |
SP20160 is Compulsory on the following programmes:Department of Social & Policy Sciences
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