| CODE | SOC2125 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Quantitative Research in Social Sciences | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Sociology | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This is a lecture based study-unit which offers detailed grounding in the design of quantitative research, with particular attention paid to survey techniques, design of questionnaires, sampling techniques, coding and sorting of data. Also spotlighted are the elements influencing validity and reliability of data, and the differentiation between association and causality during analysis. This course is not intended to cover any statistical techniques in the analysis of numerical data, but is limited exclusively to the study of how data is collected. The statistical analysis of numerical data is the subject matter of other study-units. Key elements of this study-unit include these listed below: - Data collection, organisation and representation; - Sampling techniques; different types of sample design; - Questionnaire design; - Validity and reliability within research design; - Interviewing techniques in quantitative research projects; - Coding and sorting of interview data; - Likert Scales and their interpretation; - Index use and construction as tools for the analysis and interpretation of complex data. Study-Unit Aims: This study-unit will train students to undertake quantitative research design research in sociology; to understand both its limitations and its advantages in undertaking sociological research. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Identify the role of quantitative research design in sociology; - Plan and conduct different methods of data collection using quantitative methods. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Design surveys; - Design questionnaires; - Collect quantitative data. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Neil J Salkind. (2009) Exploring Research (7th Edition). New Jersey. Pearson Education International. - D.A.deVaus. (1996) Surveys in Social Research (4th Edition). London. UCL. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Tutorial | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Mario Vassallo |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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