Module Title: SOCS 241 Quantitative Research Methods

Programme: B.A. Sociology

Credit Value: 12

General Objectives:

This course introduces a number of different quantitative data-collection procedures and analytical strategies used by sociologists to study the social world. Quantitative methods typically center on numerical measurement of some kind. The survey is the primary tool used by quantitative social researchers and will, as such be the focus of much of this module. Students will study and practice research design, survey construction, sampling, data collection, and analysis. This course will build on skills learned in Statistics for Social Research (SOCS 112) and SPSS software will be used for data analysis.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Identify basic methodological approaches and describe the general role of methods in building sociological knowledge.
• Design, construct, and administer surveys.
• Analyze data gathered by government agencies and international organizations in order to address relevant sociological questions about Bhutanese society.
• Use and analyze statistical tests (parametric and non-parametric) using SPSS.
• Present and convey accurately data findings in writing.
• Critically assess a published research report and explain how the study could have been improved.
• Prepare a theoretical and analytical report, using persuasive discussion of evidence.
• Design a research study in an area of choice and explain why various decisions were made.

Learning and Teaching Approach Used:

This course will rely on some lecture and many hands-on research activities, because the best way to learn methodology is by actually doing research. The research activities will often utilize existing data sets available through government agencies and international organizations. Students will also practice designing their own small research projects, constructing appropriate survey questions to generate data, administering the surveys, entering and coding the data collected, analyzing the data, and reporting results. The aim, then, is to encourage as much involvement on the part of students as possible. In-class exercises will also invite more active learning on the part of students. Much of the research done for this module will be cooperative, as most quantitative sociological research is, meaning that students will work in pairs or small teams.

Assessment:

Continuous Assessment:                               60%

            Lab reports (pairs):    10%

            Research proposal:     10%

            Participation*:            10%

            Literature review:      10%

            Midterm test:              20%

End of Session Assessment:                           40%

            Research project:        20%

            Final exam:                 20%

Pre-requisite:

Students must have successfully completed Introduction to Sociology (SOCS 111) & Statistics for Social Research (SOCS 112) prior to enrolling in this module.

Subject Matter

• Process of Research: Research ethics; limits of social research; Research problems & questions, From theory to hypothesis - tools for causal thinking; the research proposal processes
• Research Design: General issues in research design; Conceptualization, Operationalization; Experimental design; Quasi-experiments and non-experiments;
• Sampling Cases: sampling terminology and concepts; Probability samples: SRS, stratification, and clustering; Complex and multi-stage sampling designs; Applying sampling principals to time, space, variables, and content.
• Measurement Theory: Measurement theory; Reliability and validity; Levels of measurement, indexes and scales.
• Survey Research: Why use Survey? The Interview Method, the Questionnaire Method, Formulating Questions for a Survey Strengths and weaknesses of face, mail, and phone surveys; Constructing items and instruments; Choice of technique discussion; Survey Implementation; , Coding and Data Entry, Analysis of Survey Data, Writing a Survey Report
• Documents and archives: Secondary analysis, Archives; Tracing evidence;
• Insight into Writing Research Proposal and Reports

Reading List:     

Neumann, W. L. (2005).  Social Research Methods: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches, 6^th Ed.    

Pearson Education

Reference:

Becker, Howard S. (1998). Tricks of the Trade: How to Think About Your Research While

You Are Doing It. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Babbie, Earl. (2007).The Basics of Social Research. 4th Edition.

Fink, Arlene & Kosecoff, J.  (2005).  How to Conduct Surveys (3rd edition).  Sage Publications.

Lieberson, S. (1985). Making it Count. The Improvement of Social Research and Theory. Berkeley: University of California Press.

Salkind, N. (2003).  Statistics for People Who (Think They) Hate Statistics 13.0, 2nd Edition.

Singleton, Jr., Royce, &  Straits, B. C. (2004). Approaches to Social Research.  4th Edition, Oxford University Press.

Date: August 2008