Quantitative Methods of Social Research (21783)

Degree course: Degree in Labour Relations
Academic year: second
Term: third
Number of ECTS credits: 6
Student hours: 150

Syllabus

We frequently use quantitative perspectives to understand society. They are fundamental tools in public debates and academic discourse. The aim of this course is to understand the power and limitation of these quantitative methods in the social sciences. The course provides a basis for formulating a research question and constructing a complete research plan. One of the main focus points is the ability to reproduce, understand and criticise quantitative research in the social sciences.

1.  Introduction to examples of quantitative research.

    What does the term "quantitative" mean and what is the difference between quantitative and qualitative methods?

    It's an interesting question but...is it worth researching?

2.  Introduction to research design 1. 

    The role of theory in the quantitative world. Life in Matrix.

    The process of writing a quantitative proposal.

3. Introduction to research design 2.

    An introduction to the concept of a dependent variable. What can and can't be measured?

4.  Formulating a research question.

    Are social sciences different from "hard" sciences?

    Ability builds a bridge from the idea to its implementation.

5.  Introduction to surveys and other methods.

    Surveys

    Experiments

    Mixed methods

6. Introduction to methods 1.

    Introduction to the idea of a population sample.

    Generalisability.  What and who is average?

7. Introduction to methods 2.

    Introduction to basic methods of analysis.

    Data handling.

8. Data sources and the chance/reality of collecting data

9. The importance of being able to reproduce the results

10.  Presentation of final projects (in class)