Module Code - Title:
SO4046
-
QUANTITATIVE METHODS FOR SOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
This module considers quantitative research in relation to sociology. This module aims to develop students knowledge gained in SO4053 to increase and deepen their understanding of and facility with quantitative research methods; particularly to develop their facility in the analysis of quantitative data. The primary objective of the course is to ensure that students are able to understand and use basic quantitative methods. The course begins by reviewing the role of quantitative methods in sociology, with consideration of the theoretical implications of the method and of the sorts of research it permits. It then moves on to a practical core, introducing basic techniques for data collection, processing, presentation and statistical analysis. The lectures run in parallel with lab sessions, in which students use SPSS and other relevant software.
Syllabus:
This course introduces students to the basic statistical analysis of social data, including simple descriptive statistics and presentations, samples, surveys and elementary probability theory, inferential statistics, bivariate measures of association and multivariate techniques including an introduction to linear regression and correlation. The class will provide the practical skills to analyse and draw conclusions from quantitative social science data. Emphasis will be placed on understanding, computing and interpreting basic statistics; interpreting and evaluating survey research findings; and analysing quantitative data with statistical software programmes such as SPSS.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
An understanding of some fundamental epistemological and practical issues in quantitative social research
An ability to read and understand presentations of quantitative data
An ability to create descriptive presentations of quantitative data such as tables and charts
An understanding of the basics of questionnaires and survey practice
An understanding of the basics of sampling and statistical inference
An understanding of the interpretation and use of a number of basic statistical concepts including confidence intervals, t-tests, and chi-square tests of independence in tables
An understanding of correlation and simple bivariate regression
Familiarity with SPSS and spreadsheet software, sufficient to go from questionnaire data entry to presentation of results
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
Demonstrate an awareness of the need to engage in research that is ethical.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Fielding, J. and N. Gilbert (2006)
Understanding Social Statistics
, London: Sage
Agresti, A. and B. Finlay (2008)
Statistical Methods for the Social Sciences
, New Jersey: Pearson Education
De Vaus, D. A (1996)
Surveys in Social Research
, London: UCL Press
Other Relevant Texts:
Bryman, A (2008)
Social Research Methods
, Oxford: Oxford University Press
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Module Leader:
brendan.halpin@ul.ie