Quantitative Research Methods
| Module title | Quantitative Research Methods |
|---|---|
| Module code | BEMM065 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr 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. We cover the development of research questions and hypotheses. We consider issues of measurement and data collection. We also explore the basics of statistical analysis. 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’s 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: 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/
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ELE
- https://www.discoveringstatistics.com/
- https://www.socialresearchmethods.net/
- R: https://www.r-project.org/
- R-Studio: 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 |
