Quantitative Research Methods
Module description
This module provides students with exposure to common methods used in the social science. We begin with the development of research questions and then hypotheses. We then consider issues of measurement and data collection. We also explore the basics of statistical analysis. The module is designed such that upon completion, students can 1) independently design their own research; 2) critique and understand the data and results of published studies; 3) complete basic analysis of data to test hypotheses.
Full module specification
| Module title: | Quantitative Research Methods |
|---|---|
| Module code: | BEMM065 |
| Module level: | M |
| Academic year: | 2018/9 |
| Module lecturers: |
|
| Module credit: | 15 |
| ECTS value: | 7.5 |
| Pre-requisites: | None |
| Co-requisites: | None |
| Duration of module: |
Duration (weeks) - term 2: 11 |
Module aims
This module primary aims are to:
- Prepare students for independent research informed by the main qualitative utilised in the social sciences.
- Equip students to design, with minimal supervision and guidance, programmes of primary empirical research, taking into consideration issues of research ethics, data generation, data analysis and reporting of findings.
- Enable students in their future careers to have confidence in their abilities to analyse data, commission research, or conduct research in the work place and wider operating environment.
- Equip students with report writing skills in order to present and interpret data in easily accessible ways.
ILO: Module-specific skills
- 1. Articulate the current issues associated with different philosophical, methodological and practical approaches to business- and management-related research problems
- 2. Critically evaluate the application of a wide range of alternative techniques, methods and data sources and types in the investigation of specialized research goals
- 3. Identify, assess and action a full range of ethical issues arising from business-related research
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
- 4. Apply an appropriate range of quantitative methods in the social sciences accurately and independently
- 5. Apply with precision and independently critique data from disparate sources
ILO: Personal and key skills
- 6. Make appropriate, systematic and accurate uses and interpretations of statistical data
- 7. Support transparent, systematic and sustained written arguments
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Contact hours | 22 | Lectures |
| Guided independent study | 40 | Preparatory reading reading prior to lectures and tutorials |
| Guided independent study | 20 | Individual reading and study time to produce critique of published article |
| Guided independent study | 48 | Individual reading and study time to develop their independent research design |
| Guided independent study | 20 | Preparatory video lessons on topics regarding statistics and using software |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Review of individual performance on group exercises | During tutorials | 1-7 | Verbal |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | 0 | 30 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical exam: statistical analysis and using SPSS | 30 | During week 10 (1 hour) | 1-7 | Written |
| Coursework: critique of published article | 30 | 2,000 word critique | 1-7 | Written |
| Coursework: individual research design | 40 | 3,000 word research design | 1-7 | Written |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical exam: statistical analysis and using SPSS | 3000 word Practical Assignment (30%) | 1-7 | August assessment period |
| Coursework: critique of published article | 2,000 word critique (30%) | 1-7 | August assessment period |
| Coursework: individual research design | 3,000 word research design (40%) | 1-7 | August assessment period |
Re-assessment notes
Three assessments are required for this module. When you have been referred/deferred for the practical exam you will submit a practical assessment. This will constitute 30% of the module mark.
Where you have been referred/deferred for the research critique, you will have the opportunity to submit a 2000 word report in August. This will constitute 30% of the module mark.
Where you have been referred/deferred for the research design, you will have the opportunity to submit a 3000 word report in August. This will constitute 40% of the module mark.
Syllabus plan
- Why Quantitative Methods
- Research Questions and Hypotheses
- Comparing Different Designs
- Data Collection
- Operationalisation and Measurement
- Techniques of Analysing Data
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
A full reading pack is supplied to students for this module (on ELE)
Recommended texts:
- Field, A. (2009). Discovering statistics using SPSS. Sage publications.
- Trochim, William M. The Research Methods Knowledge Base, 2nd Edition. Internet www page, at URL:
Module has an active ELE page?
Yes
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
https://www.discoveringstatistics.com/
https://www.socialresearchmethods.net/
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
As provided and recommended during classes and via ELE
Origin date
15/08/2017
Last revision date
04/07/2018