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Department of Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, Unit Catalogue 2011/12

XX50134: Quantitative methods 1: introduction to quantitative methods

Credits:	6
Level:	Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Period:	Semester 1
Assessment:	CW 100%
Supplementary Assessment:	Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Description:	Aims: The unit aims to provide a critical overview of quantitative research methods and training in statistical analysis both in the classroom and in the lab, applying SPSS. By the end of the unit, students will be equipped with appropriate research design and statistical analysis skills to contribute to research projects. Learning Outcomes: * Be aware of the main quantitative methods used, focusing on large-scale surveys, secondary analysis of data and experimental design; * Distinguish between different levels of data; * Distinguish between descriptive and inferential statistics; * Understand sampling error and the assumptions that underlie different statistical techniques. Skills: * Understand the relationships between, and the rationale for, qualitative and quantitative research methods; * Appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of different quantitative methods; * Appreciate cross-cultural issues in quantitative research; * Be able to define a researchable problem and formulate research questions and hypotheses; * Be able to design a short questionnaire; * Learn to read critically published quantitative research and be able to debate the appropriateness of different fieldwork methods; * Understand the role of sampling and the concepts of generalisability, validity and reliability; * Be able to carry out simple descriptive analysis including measures of central tendency and variability; * Describe the stages of hypothesis testing; * Select an appropriate statistical test; * Interpret cross-tabulations and correlations; * Interpret the results from chi-square tests; * Be able to generate basic descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS. Professional practice skills * Understand ethical issues in relation to quantitative research; * Acquire computing skills. Content: The course will take a critical look at quantitative methods in general including survey methods, experimental design and official statistics. The potential links between quantitative and qualitative methods will be explored. It will discuss issues of generalisability, sampling, fieldwork methods, data collection, validity and reliability. Students will also gain a grounding in descriptive and inferential statistics and they will also be introduced to SPSS for Windows.
Programme availability:	XX50134 is a Designated Essential Unit on the following programmes: Department of Education THXX-AFM11 : MRes Education (Full-time) THXX-AFM21 : MRes Education (Full-time) Department for Health THXX-AFM42 : MRes Health & Wellbeing (Full-time) THXX-AFM43 : MRes Health & Wellbeing (Full-time) Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies THXX-AFM50 : MRes Politics and International Studies (Full-time) THXX-AFM51 : MRes Politics and International Studies (Full-time) Department of Psychology THXX-AFM44 : MRes Environment, Energy & Resilience (Full-time) THXX-AFM45 : MRes Environment, Energy & Resilience (Full-time) Department of Social & Policy Sciences THXX-AFM15 : MRes European Social Policy (Full-time) THXX-AFM25 : MRes European Social Policy (Full-time) THXX-AFM12 : MRes International Development (Full-time) THXX-AFM22 : MRes International Development (Full-time) THXX-AFM48 : MRes Security, Conflict & Justice (Full-time) THXX-AFM49 : MRes Security, Conflict & Justice (Full-time) THXX-AFM14 : MRes Social Policy (Full-time) THXX-AFM24 : MRes Social Policy (Full-time) THXX-AFM30 : MRes Social Work (Full-time) THXX-AFM31 : MRes Social Work (Full-time) THXX-AFM18 : MRes Sociology (Full-time) THXX-AFM26 : MRes Sociology (Full-time) XX50134 is Compulsory on the following programmes: School of Management RMMN-AFM12 : Integrated PhD Management (Full-time) XX50134 is Optional (DEU) on the following programmes: Department of Psychology THXX-AFM13 : MRes Psychology (Full-time) Department of Social & Policy Sciences THXX-AFM46 : MRes Global Political Economy: Transformations & Policy Analysis (Full-time) THXX-AFM47 : MRes Global Political Economy: Transformations & Policy Analysis (Full-time) XX50134 is Optional on the following programmes: Department of Computer Science RSCM-AFD02 : Doctor of Engineering (EngD) in Digital Media (Full-time) Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies THPL-AFM15 : MA International Security (Full-time) THPL-AFC16 : PG Cert International Security (Full-time) THPL-AFL16 : PG Dip International Security (Full-time) Department of Social & Policy Sciences THSP-AFM02 : MSc Business and Community (Full-time) THSP-APM02 : MSc Business and Community (Part-time) THSP-AFM13 : MSc International Public Policy Analysis (Full-time) THSP-APM13 : MSc International Public Policy Analysis (Part-time) THSP-APM04 : MSc International Social Policy (Part-time) THSP-AFC03 : PG Cert Business and Community (Full-time) THSP-AFC13 : PG Cert International Public Policy Analysis (Full-time) THSP-AFL01 : PG Dip Business and Community (Full-time) THSP-APL01 : PG Dip Business and Community (Part-time) THSP-AFL13 : PG Dip International Public Policy Analysis (Full-time) THSP-APL13 : PG Dip International Public Policy Analysis (Part-time) XX50134 is available for Auditing on the following programmes: Department of Social & Policy Sciences THXX-AFM04 : MSc Social Research (Full-time) THXX-APM03 : MSc Social Research (Part-time)

NB. Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.