MASYK4060 Research Methods, Quantitative Approach Course description

Students will be introduced to the analysis of quantitative data, enabling them to critically read scientific articles. The topics covered are different quantitative study designs, different types of data, basic principles of univariate and bivariate analysis and hypothesis testing, interpretation of descriptive tables and figures, and ethical reflection on the planning, execution and presentation of quantitative studies. Students will receive a practical introduction to basic statistical concepts and key statistical methods. Exercises using the statistics program SPSS will make up part of the course. Principles of research ethics are applied and seen in relation to the study design, data collection, presentation of results and the critical assessment of research results.

Students should have completed and passed MASYK/D4050 Theory of Science and Research Methods before starting the course.

Admission to the programme.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has in-depth knowledge of the research process and ethical challenges in quantitative studies
• has advanced knowledge of key statistical concepts
• is capable of using knowledge of the most commonly used analysis methods in quantitative research
• has in-depth knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of quantitative studies

Skills

The student is capable of

• registering quantitative data in spreadsheets or statistics programs
• using statistics programs to analyse quantitative data
• taking a critical approach to the interpretation of quantitative data
• developing systematic presentations of quantitative data, such as tables and figures
• identifying and elucidating the strengths and weaknesses of quantitative studies

Competence

The student is capable of

• presenting issues of relevance to quantitative design
• disseminating quantitative professional and research results of relevance to the health and social services
• communicating ethical considerations concerning the dissemination of health research

Lectures, group work, seminars, Exercises using the statistics program SPSS and self-study.

The following assignment must have been approved in order for a student to be permitted to take the exam:

Written assignment

• Preparation of a task. The students prepare a problem that is relevant and uses data sets provided in the course, as well as work on issues given by the lectuer.
• Carried out in groups of 3-4 students.
• The students receive oral feedback from their fellow students and from the lecturer.

Supervised individual written exam, 3 hours, comprising calculations, interpretation exercises and a multiple choice test.

A calculator approved by the university is the only permitted exam aid.

Grade scale A-F.

All exam papers are assessed by two internal examiners.

MASYK4060, MASYD4060 and MAPO4060 overlap 100%.