SIW4210 Knowledge Production in Social Sciences - Quantitative Methods Course description

This course focus on quantitative research tools, data collection and analysis. We give particular attention to methodological reflection, regression analysis, and the links between research questions and research design. The course thus connects with the thesis preparation seminar, the master's thesis design proposal and the master's thesis work process.

Two internal examiners will assess the report and oral exam. External examiner is used periodically.

A student who has completed the course has the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge and skills:

Knowledge

The student has

• thorough knowledge of the research process
• advanced knowledge of quantitative research designs: their appropriate use as well as strengths and limitations
• thorough knowledge of important concepts such as measurement, reliability, validity, and generalization.

Skills

The student can

• relate research processes to scientific theory and ethical principles
• apply research methods in a reflective manner and appropriately choose methods that are relevant for different kinds of research questions
• use relevant methods for producing, analysing and interpreting diverse types of empirical data (e.g. surveys or register data)
• use univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis techniques, inferential statistics and SPSS
• evaluate research based on quantitative methods in terms of methodological quality and appropriateness

The course consists of lectures and seminars, where students actively participate in group work, practical exercises and group discussions.

Students must submit a work requirement assigned and to be approved by the course lecturer. Students whose papers are not approved after the first submission will be given the chance to resubmit once. Papers that are not approved after two submissions will disqualify students from taking part in the final examination.

The assessment consists of a 4 hour school examination.

Students may use a spelling dictionary, as well as a bilingual dictionary during the written school exam.

This course is designed to inform and enrich the material learned in the research methods courses. It combines a descriptive and a normative approach to reflection on social science. In addition, the course contains a master thesis preparation seminar leading to a master thesis design proposal which supports the master thesis work process. The thesis preparation seminar runs in collaboration with the two courses on methods (SIW4210 and SIW4220).

Among topics covered in philosophy of science are the role of values in research, objectivity, realism, social constructivism, social ontology, feminist philosophy of science, evidence-based policy, models, and causality. The master thesis preparation seminar covers research design.

None

Admission requirements.