SOC20260 Quantitative Research Methods

Academic Year 2023/2024

Quantitative sociology describes a particular approach to social research, involving specific methods of data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Building on the foundations of sociology established so far your studies, we explore the role of social surveys, secondary data, and statistical analysis in making sense of the social world.

Topics covered will include measuring key sociological concepts, quantitative research design, introduction to statistical inference, principles of data visualisation, basic descriptive statistics, introductory statistical analysis.

We will explore these topics through specific social issues, including social inequality, health, sexuality, religion, gender, and consumption. Accompanying tutorials will introduce you to practical data management and analysis. The module assumes no mathematical knowledge beyond basic arithmetic.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

1. Appreciate the connection between theory and evidence in quantitative research design and conduct.
2. Think critically about different ways to measure social concepts.
3. Visualise and display quantitative data.
4. Understand basic principles of describing and analysing data.
5. Conduct and report on your own piece of quantitative research.
6. Display competence with statistical analysis software.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Computer Aided Lab

12
Autonomous Student Learning

89
Total

125
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Key teaching and learning approaches used in the module, include, but are not limited to: active/task-based learning; lectures; critical writing; lab work. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Continuous Assessment: Test Week 6 n/a Graded No

30
Continuous Assessment: Analyses and interpretation Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

10
Continuous Assessment: 2,500 word Research Report Week 12 n/a Graded No

60

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Xing Jiang Tutor
Mr Conor Keogh Tutor
Yuliang Lu Tutor
Mr. Philip Jeremiah Ryan Tutor
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Autumn
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Thurs 17:00 - 17:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Tues 17:00 - 17:50
Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 12:00 - 12:50
Seminar Offering 2 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3 Tues 11:00 - 11:50
Seminar Offering 2 Week(s) - 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Tues 11:00 - 11:50
Seminar Offering 3 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Wed 13:00 - 13:50
Seminar Offering 4 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 14:00 - 14:50
Seminar Offering 5 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Tues 17:00 - 17:50
Laboratory Offering 6 Week(s) - 1, 2 Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
Laboratory Offering 6 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
Seminar Offering 7 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Thurs 09:00 - 09:50
Seminar Offering 8 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Wed 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn