QUANTITATIVE SKILLS FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH
SOC5QSR
2017
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
This subject will provide an introduction to some important quantitative skills and data analysis techniques in social science research. Emphasis will be placed on the practical application of quantitative methods, which covers survey and questionnaire design, secondary data and official statistics, and basic functions of SPSS. During the seminars, students will gain hands-on experience in using relevant software and conducting data analysis. Various examples will be drawn on to illustrate how the quantitative skills can be applied across disciplines. Through learning this subject, students are expected to develop basic quantitative skills that are widely used in academia and highly sought after by employers in both public and private sectors.
School: School of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Xianbi Huang
Available to Study Abroad Students: Yes
Subject year level: Year Level 5 - Masters
Exchange Students: Yes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: Must be enrolled in a Masters by coursework degree
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: N/A
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Special conditions: N/A
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Analysing Social Science Data: 50 key problems in data analysis | Recommended | de Vaus, David 2002 | SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD, UK |
| Readings | Social Research Methods (3rd ed) | Recommended | Walter, Maggie 2013 | OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Develop skills of using relevant software and conducting quantitative research
- Activities:
- Seminar, lab sessions, assessments
02. Engage in discussion with peers in class about quantitative research
- Activities:
- Seminar, lab sessions, assessments
03. Evaluate strengths and weaknesses of different quantitative methods
- Activities:
- Seminar, lab sessions, assessments
04. Implement and report on research practice
- Activities:
- Seminar, lab sessions, assessments
05. Understand and apply quantitative methods to addressing social issues
- Activities:
- Seminar, lab sessions, assessments
Melbourne, 2017, Semester 2, Blended
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Xianbi Huang
Class requirements
Block ModeWeek: 31 - 43
Six 6.0 hours block mode per study period on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via blended.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz (1,000-word equivalent) | 20 | 03, 01, 05 | |
| Research exercise (2,000-word equivalent) | 40 | 05, 03, 02, 01, 04 | |
| Research exercise (2,000-word equivalent) | 40 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 |