Quantitative Research Methods
| Module title | Quantitative Research Methods |
|---|---|
| Module code | BEMM065 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Justin Tumlinson (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 15 |
|---|
Module description
This module provides students with exposure to common methods used in the social science. Â We cover the development of research questions and hypotheses. We 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 moduleâs 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | 123 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 27 | Lectures and seminars |
| Guided independent study | 61 | Preparatory reading for lectures and seminars |
| Guided independent study | 21 | Completion of assessment 1 |
| Guided independent study | 41 | Revising for exam |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 70 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statistical assignment | 30 | Fewer than 5 pages | 1-7 | Written |
| Exam | 70 | 3 hours | 1-7 | Written |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statistical assignment | Statistical assignment (fewer than 5 pages, 30%) | 1-7 | Referral/deferral period |
| Exam | Exam (3 hours, 70%) | 1-7 | Referral/deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
A first or otherwise uncapped attempt of the 70% summative assessment, regardless of whether it occurs during the originally scheduled window, will be an in-class exam. A score capped (second) attempt will be a statistical assignment.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
A full reading pack is supplied to students for this module (on ELE)
Recommended book:
- Fogarty, Brian J. (2019) Quantitative Social Science Data with R. Sage publications:Â 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:Â http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/
- Seeing Theory:Â https://seeing-theory.brown.edu/
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ELE
- https://www.discoveringstatistics.com/
- https://www.socialresearchmethods.net/
- R:Â Â https://www.r-project.org/
- R-Studio:Â 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 | 23/04/2025 |