Quantitative Research Methods

Academic year: 2010-2011 Course code module 1BPSW-08 Semester: 1st and 2nd semester Credits: 6 Study load (hours) 168 Theory (hours): 45,00 Practice/Exercises(hours): Other (hours): Part-time program: 2 Instructor(s) Herman Meulemans Dimitri Mortelmans Olivier Chandesais Language of instruction: Dutch Semester exam information: exam in the 1st and/or 2nd semester Contract restriction information: 1. Prerequisites *Algemene competenties The course is aimed at first-year bachelors communication sciences, political sciences and sociology. We expect a constant, active and systematic interest in all aspects of social life. Astonishment and scientific curiosity are at the forefront. they are the most important prerequisites.   The course consists of three parts, each of them taught by a different lecturer or assistant: Part 1: Introduction to Scientific Skills (1st semester): prof. dr. Dimitri Mortelmans Part 2: Quantitative research methods (2nd semester): prof. dr. Herman Meulemans Part 3: ZVP-assignment (2nd semester): Olivier Chandesais *Sequentiality None 2. Objectives (expected learning outcomes) Part 1: Introduction to Scientific skills (1st semester): Students can: Situate their level of competence on the domains of mathematics, logic reasoning, academic Dutch and motivation for the academia; Recognize scientific information and judge it on its quality; Recognize forms of plagiarism; cite correctly and paraphrase correctly; Search for scientific literature, manage literature in Endnote and use references in a text and a bibliography; Search for official statistics and create statistics online; Search datasets online and do online analyses on them; Use Microsoft Word and Excel on an intermediate level. Part 2: Quantitative Research Methods (2nd semester): Students can: Situate the social scientific research way of thinking; Master the empirical cycle; Place the most important quantitative methods in the social sciences in the light of a research question; Develop a research plan. Part 3: ZVP-assignment (2nd semester): Students can: Write a problem definition with a research question; Perform a literature review; Bring literature in Endnote and use them in a paper (references and bibliography); Write an argumentation and come to conclusions.   3. Course content Part 1: Introduction to Scientific skills (1st semester): Starting test PSW (tests on: mathematics, logic reasoning, Academic Dutch and motivation) Scientific models and the meaning of “scientific” Scientific sources + Privacy + Ethical codes in science Library introduction Searching for information and statistics (and judging them for quality)   Searching statistics (and judging them) + searching data and analyse them online Plagiarism + Feedback on the starting tests Referring and citing (in APA-6th style) Endnote Structuring and writing – Visualising information Remark: The expected learning outcomes on Word and Excel are acquired in self-teaching. At the start of the course the intended learning outcomes are distributed. It is expected that students acquire these skills by the end of the 1st semester. Part 2: Quantitative Research Methods (2nd semester): Social research strategies Research designs (experiment; cross-sectional; longitudinal; case study; comparative) Formulating research questions The nature of quantitative research Sampling Structured interviewing Self-completion questionnaires Asking questions Structured observation Content analysis Secondary analysis and official statistics Part 3: ZVP-assignment (2nd semester): There are no classroom sessions in this part, only individual feedback session during the semester.   Writing a research question Developing a research plan Making a correct bibliography and correct references (using Endnote and the APA-6th style)   4. Teaching method Direct contact: Lectures Exercise sessions Personal work: Assignments - individual Supervised self-study 5. Assessment method Exam: Written, without oral presentation Closed book Multiple choice Open questions Written assignment: Without oral presentation 6. Compulsory reading – study material Part 1: Introduction to Scientific skills (1st semester): Handbook: Mortelmans, D., Spooren, P., Chandesais, O. (2010) Naar de bron. Informatie zoeken en verwerken in de sociale en humane wetenschappen. Leuven: Acco. Part 2: Quantitative Research Methods (2nd semester): Handbook: Bryman, A. (2008) Social Research Methods [3rd edition]. Oxford: Oxford University Press, ISBN   978-0-19-920295-9, paperback    Further information:  Handbook    (in stock at Acco, Prinsstraat 21, Antwerpen at the start of the second semester)    Further information:  Online resource centre Part 3: ZVP-assignment (2nd semester): Written assignment (can only be done with the skills and the teaching material from the first semester). 7. Recommended reading - study material American Psychological Association (2009) Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (sixth edition ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. American Psychological Association (2010) Concise rules of APA style. The official pocket style guide from the American Psychological Association. Washington DC. 8. Tutoring After class or with e-mail you can contact the lecturers. If necessary, we can make an appointment to exchange ideas or discuss problems.    For Part 1 a feedback session will be organised on the “PSW starting tests”. For Part 3 regular feedback sessions will be organized. laatste aanpassing: last update: 22/07/2010 08:51 dimitri.mortelmans