Core Module Information
Module title: Quantitative Research

SCQF level: 08:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10

Module code: SSC08108
Module leader: Sarah Anderson
School School of Applied Sciences
Subject area group: Social Science
Prerequisites

To study this module you will need the learning equivalent to the module listed or have passed this module

SSC07103 Understanding Social Science Research
Examples of Equivalent Learning :
Introductory research methods and statistics (SCQF level 7)

Description of module content:

This module is designed to help you gain practical experience of planning and executing quantitative research. In particular, you will learn how to design quantitative research and how to analyse data using basic statistical techniques. You will gain practical experience of designing a research project, designing a questionnaire, and analysing data. The content of this module is demanding, but also rewarding. The strong emphasis on “learning by doing” aims to provide a firm framework within which to develop skills such as project planning, proposal writing, and oral communication that should prove highly transferable with respect to your future career.

Learning Outcomes for module:

LO1: Describe the steps in planning and executing a research project in the social sciences
L02: Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a range of research designs
L03: Apply appropriate methodologies to answer a research question
LO4: Evaluate strengths and weaknesses of a range of quantitative techniques
LO5: Describe data using appropriate graphs and descriptive statistics
LO6: Select the appropriate statistical test for use on different types of quantitative data

Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2022/3, Trimester 1, FACE-TO-FACE,
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: FACE-TO-FACE
Location of delivery: SIGHTHILL
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Sarah Anderson
Module Organiser:


Learning, Teaching and Assessment (LTA) Approach:
There will be a weekly 2-hour lecture, which for the first half of the module will cover research design and methods (LOs 1-3). The second half of the module will cover statistical techniques relevant to the social sciences (LOs 4-6). Research design lectures will be supported by weekly tutorials (LOs 1-3), which will allow for further discussion of issues covered in lectures, as well as group activities designed to prepare you for conducting original research. Lectures in the second half of the module will cover statistical techniques and will be complimented by weekly SPSS workshops. These workshops will give you hands-on practice of analysing data using SPSS and using statistical techniques discussed in lectures. Moodle will also be used to enhance learning on the module (e.g. video tutorials of SPSS procedures).

Formative Assessment:
Formative assessment 1 – Group research proposal (presentation) (week 6) – Lecturer & Peer feedback on the presentations; Individually, students should provide peer feedback on another group’s research design (LO2) (300 words – prompts will be given).

Formative assessment 2 – Practice examples with answers will be provided for each statistical test in tutorials

Alongside this there will be other formative exercises in tutorials and computer labs.

Summative Assessment:
Component 1 (70% - 60% + 10%) is a group research proposal (3,000 words), which will assess all of the learning outcomes, but with an emphasis on (LOs 1-3). The group research proposal will constitute (60% of the mark) and will be due in week 13. A group activity log must be provided as an appendix. Included in the group activity log, you will be asked to provide a statement outlining and evaluating your and other group members’ contribution to the research project, both in terms of contribution but in terms of how well you all adhered to the group agreement developed in week 1 (which is developed by the group, but might cover issues such as communication, treating each other with respect), giving examples to support your claims. This will be used by the lecturer to determine your group contribution mark (10% of the mark: 0 for insufficient, 5 for reasonable contribution, 10 for fully contributed). In addition to this, you can only receive the group contribution mark if you participated fully in formative assessment 1 (this is not marked, but you must have contributed).

Component 2 (30%) is an individual in-class test (30%), which will also assess all of the learning outcomes, but with an emphasis on (LOs 4-6). This will be predominantly multiple choice, although may involve using SPSS to perform simple functions. (Week 12)


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)
Face To Face Lecture 22
Face To Face Tutorial 6
Face To Face Practical classes and workshops 5
Independent Learning Guided independent study 167
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words
Report 70 1,2,3,4,5,6 13 HOURS= 00.00, WORDS= 2500
Class Test 30 1,2,3,4,5,6 12 HOURS= 00.30, WORDS= 0
Component 1 subtotal: 70
Component 2 subtotal: 30
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
SSC08108 Quantitative Research