The module is designed for students from social science and humanities backgrounds to provide students with a foundational understanding of statistics and quantitative research methods. This course will equip students with the fundamental skills for conducting independent empirical quantitative research.

Students will learn how to use and analyse quantitative surveys with R.

Objectives

  • To introduce the basic concepts and principles of statistics for sociological quantitative research.
  • To develop critical thinking about quantitative research
  • To familiarise students with different types of data available, such as panel surveys, time-use surveys, and crime statistics.
  • To understand the appropriate statistical analysis methods to use in various contexts. 
  • To provide the foundations for causal inference.
  • To write an empirical quantitative paper.
  • To develop students' ability to communicate statistical findings to a general audience.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module, students should be able to…

  • Define and explain key statistical concepts and principles of quantitative social science.
  • Know how to find and download quantitative data.
  • Select appropriate statistical techniques for different types of data and research questions.
  • Perform statistical analysis using R.
  • Interpret statistical results appropriately.
  • Critically evaluate quantitative results and findings.
  • Communicate quantitative empirical findings accurately and effectively in writing.