SS5104 Quantitative Research in Social Science

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Lectures: Mondays 1-2; Workshops: Mondays one of 2-3, 3-4, 4-5

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Mr P L Gardner

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Mr Paul Gardner

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module provides a user-friendly introduction to the fundamental concepts of quantitative analysis. It will cover underlying principles, terminology, research design, sampling strategies, uncertainty and missing data, computerised data management and univariate and multivariate approaches to data analysis. The assessment will be in the form of practical tasks completed in class and/or independently.

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

100% Coursework; Resubmission of failed components only

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2-hour combined lecture and tutorial.

Scheduled learning hours

20

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

130

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Have a working knowledge of basic statistical concepts and terms
  • Be able to discuss the merits and limitations of various research designs
  • Be able to recognise flawed statistical approaches & interpretations
  • Be able to perform power analysis
  • Be able to manipulate datasets with SPSS
  • Be able to perform and interpret statistical analyses using SPSS