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Study information

Introduction to Social Data

Module titleIntroduction to Social Data
Module codeSSI1005
Academic year2021/2
Credits15
Module staff

Dr Chris Playford (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

11

Number students taking module (anticipated)

140

Module description

‘Women do 11 hours more housework than men’ or ‘Violent crime is down for three years in a row’. Much social science research uses quantitative research methods and statistics to investigate social phenomena ranging from employment, crime rates, health outcomes, political participation and social class. This introductory first-year module introduces you to key concepts in quantitative research design,data collection and data analysis as a basis for understanding such social phenomena

This module is suitable for all social science students and is part of the Q-Step core sequence in research methods.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The aim of this module is to introduce you to quantitative research design,data collection and basic data analysis. More specifically, it uses data sets and research examples drawn from existing social science research to illustrate core concepts and methods in quantitative research. By introducing you to methods such as experiments and surveys, and the type of social science research that can be produced using these, this module lays the foundation for understanding quantitative methods and for your own experience in conducting quantitative studies.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. demonstrate basic knowledge of quantitative research design, data collection and some awareness of analytic techniques;
  • 2. demonstrate basic understanding of what makes some quantitative research ‘good’ and some ‘bad’ quality (quality criterion);

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 3. demonstrate an understanding of quantitative research design in the social sciences at an introductory level;
  • 4. create a relevant social science research question and hypothesis;

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 5. present quantitative data effectively and clearly; and
  • 6. demonstrate numeracy skills which will be desirable to employers.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following themes:

• Introduction: What is quantitative research?

• Populations and samples

• Social surveys

• Correlation and causation

• Experiments in the social science

• Measurement. Reliability and validity in social science research

• Basic descriptive statistics and data analysis

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
28.5121.50

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity16.511 X 1.5 hour lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activity126 x 2 hour seminars
Guided independent study33course readings
Guided independent study60Reading for the take home exam
Guided independent study28.5Preparation for the test

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Practice quiz30 minutes1-6Online

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
50050

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Take-home exam 50Approximately 1,500 words and some data analysis1-6Written
Multiple choice test 501 hour online (ELE) test 1-6Online

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Take-home exam (48 hours)Take-home exam (approximately 1,500 words and some data analysis)1-6August/September reassessment period
Multiple choice testMultiple choice test (1 hour, paper or online) 1-6August/September reassessment period

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Fowler, F.J. (2014) Survey research methods. London: Sage. 5th ed.

Imai, K. (2016). A first course in quantitative social science. Princeton University Press

Raykov, T. and Marcoulides, G.A. (2012). Basic Statistics. An Introduction with R. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.

Key words search

Social science, surveys, quantitative, research design, data collection

Credit value15
Module ECTS

7.5

Module pre-requisites

none

Module co-requisites

none

NQF level (module)

4

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

11/12/2019

Last revision date

11/12/2019