Module Code - Title:
SO5032
-
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS 2
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
SO5041
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
The purpose of this course is to take students with a basic knowledge of quantitative methods and to familiarise them with the more advanced tools needed for practical quantitative social research. The course has two focuses: statistical techniques appropriate to social science research and the practice of large-scale survey research. It is intended that students acquire a degree of practical competence with the sorts of statistical thinking and technique needed for real-world social research, and a familiarity with analysis of survey data to answer real life research questions. A core aspect of the course will be extensive work with large-scale survey data sets, including longitudinal and comparative.
Syllabus:
The purpose of this course is to take students with a basic knowledge of quantitative methods and to familiarise them with the more advanced tools needed for practical quantitative social research. The course has two focuses: statistical techniques appropriate to social science research and the practice of large-scale survey research. It is intended that students acquire a degree of practical competence with the sorts of statistical thinking and technique needed for real-world social research, and a familiarity with analysis of survey data to answer real life research questions. A core aspect of the course will be extensive work with large-scale survey data sets, including longitudinal and comparative.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
Carry out tabular analysis of categorical data
Critically apply statistical techniques such as multiple regression, and binary, multinomial and ordinal logistic regression
Critically read quantitative social research that uses more advanced statistical methods such as multiple regression and methods for categorical data
Use Stata via written commands ("syntax"), to carry out complex, documented and replicable analysis of data
Handle large survey data sets and their documentation
Search for existing large-scale survey data sets available for research via the internet and data archives
Choose research questions amenable to quantitative analysis of large-scale survey data sets and identify suitable data and methods to address the questions
Demonstrate awareness of strategies to enhance the positive contributions, personal and social, of empirical quantitative research
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate an awareness of the role and value of quantitative methods and research in everyday life
Demonstrate an appreciation of the ethical issues around doing quantitative research on social issues
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
This module will be taught through a combination of lecturers, tutorials and self directed learning. In combination, these will enhance knowledgeability of the subject area, foster a proactive stance towards research, improve ability to articulate complex statistical terms, increase creativity through engagement with data, and improve a sense of responsibility to self and society.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Fielding and Gilbert (2006)
Understanding Social Statistics
, Sage
Other Relevant Texts:
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
brendan.halpin@ul.ie