Quantitative Research Methods
| Module title | Quantitative Research Methods |
|---|---|
| Module code | BEMM065 |
| Academic year | 2022/3 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Ashley Luckman (Lecturer) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 15 |
|---|
Module description
This module provides students with exposure to common methods used in the social science. Â We begin with the development of research questions and then hypotheses. We then consider issues of measurement and data collection. Â We also explore the basics of statistical analysis. Â The module is designed such that upon completion, students can 1) independently design their own research; 2) critique and understand the data and results of published studies; 3) complete basic analysis of data to test hypotheses.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module primary aims are to:
- Prepare students for independent research informed by the main quantitative tools utilised in the social sciences.
- Equip students to design, with minimal supervision and guidance, programmes of primary empirical research, taking into consideration issues of research ethics, data generation, data analysis and reporting of findings.
- Enable students in their future careers to have confidence in their abilities to analyse data, commission research, or conduct research in the work place and wider operating environment.
- Equip students with report writing skills in order to present and interpret data in easily accessible ways
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Articulate the current issues associated with different philosophical, methodological and practical approaches to business- and management-related research problems
- 2. Critically evaluate the application of a wide range of alternative techniques, methods and data sources and types in the investigation of specialized research goals
- 3. Identify, assess and action a full range of ethical issues arising from business-related research
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Apply an appropriate range of quantitative methods in the social sciences accurately and independently
- 5. Apply with precision and independently critique data from disparate sources
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Make appropriate, systematic and accurate uses and interpretations of statistical data
- 7. Support transparent, systematic and sustained written arguments
Syllabus plan
- Why Quantitative Methods
- Research Questions and Hypotheses
- Comparing Different Designs
- Data Collection
- Operationalisation and Measurement
- Techniques of Analysing Data
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Contact hours | 22 | Lectures |
| Guided independent study | 40 | Preparatory reading â reading prior to lectures and tutorials |
| Guided independent study | 20 | Individual reading and study time to produce critique of published article |
| Guided independent study | 48 | Individual reading and study time to develop their independent research design |
| Guided independent study | 20 | Preparatory video lessons on topics regarding statistics and using software |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Review of individual performance on group exercises | During tutorials | 1-7 | Verbal |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework: Take-home exercise | 30 | 1,500 word write-up of analysis | 1-7 | Written |
| Coursework: critique of published article | 30 | 2,000 word critique | 1-7 | Written |
| Coursework: individual research design | 40 | 3,000 word research design | 1-7 | Written |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework: Take-home exercise | 1,500 word write-up of analysis | 1-7 | August assessment period |
| Coursework: critique of published article | 2,000 word critique | 1-7 | August assessment period |
| Coursework: individual research design | 3,000 word research design | 1-7 | August assessment period |
Re-assessment notes
Three assessments are required for this module. When you have been referred/deferred for the take-home exercise you will submit a practical written assessment. This will constitute 30% of the module mark.Â
Where you have been referred/deferred for the research critique, you will have the opportunity to submit a 2000 word report in August. This will constitute 30% of the module mark.Â
Where you have been referred/deferred for the research design, you will have the opportunity to submit a 3000 word report in August. This will constitute 40% of the module mark.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
A full reading pack is supplied to students for this module (on ELE)
Â
Recommended book:
Fogarty, Brian J. (2019) Quantitative Social Science Data with R. Sage publications.
https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur/quantitative-social-science-data-with-r/book257236
Trochim, William M. The Research Methods Knowledge Base, 2nd Edition. Internet www page, at URL:
http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/
Seeing Theory. https://seeing-theory.brown.edu/
Â
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
https://www.discoveringstatistics.com/
https://www.socialresearchmethods.net/
R:Â https://www.r-project.org/
R-Studio:Â https://www.rstudio.com/products/rstudio/download/
R Swirl https://swirlstats.com/
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
As provided and recommended during classes and via ELE
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 15/08/2017 |
| Last revision date | 23/09/2021 |