Modules

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

Requisites: Pre-requisite: [Module SSC07103] Understanding Social Science Research
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, digital and numerical literacy, team work and oral communication that should prove highly transferable with respect to your future career.
Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Describe the steps in planning and executing a research project in the social sciences.

LO2: Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a range of research designs.

LO3: 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
2024/5, Trimester 1, In Person,
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: In Person
Location of delivery: SIGHTHILL
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Sarah Anderson
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Face To Face CLASS TEST 1 The final computer lab involves an open book, multiple choice in-class test. This is taken on a computer in your weekly computer lab.
Online GROUPIND_STUDY 12 It is expected that you will meet with your group at least once per week outside of class for at least an hour. In these sessions you will work together on your group research proposal.
Face To Face Lecture 20 Lectures are held in person. Lecture slides will be uploaded on the moodle site and lectures will be recorded to assist with note-taking. The lecture recording will include subtitles/close-captioning.
Face To Face Tutorial 5 The first half of the course will have weekly in person tutorials, which you are expected to attend. In these tutorials you will undertake weekly group tasks, which will help you work towards your group research proposal assessment. In the final tutorial you will present your plan for your group research proposal, and receive peer and tutor feedback.
Face To Face Practical classes and workshops 5 The second half of the trimester will involve a series of computer labs. These will give you hands on practical experience of analysing data using SPSS (or other appropriate software) and using statistical techniques discussed in lectures. You will be supported by tutors, who will provide demonstrations of some key techniques. An optional revision lab will provide additional support for the test.
Online Guided independent study 157 Throughout the trimester, you are expected to structure in time to reflect upon the learning you have undertaken in your scheduled sessions, and to complete: essential reading, agreed activities for group work, tutorial preparation tasks and worksheets. You are encouraged to read more widely around the topics you are studying and engage in Moodle activities and resources. You will need to ensure that you have sufficient time to prepare and plan for your assessment tasks.
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Report 70 1~2~3~6 13 , WORDS= 3000 words With your group, you will develop and demonstrate skills in planning a research project. You will write this up as a proposal for a research project. This will be worth 60% of your final grade.You will have to demonstrate how well you have contributed to the group work. With your assessment you will include a set of group commitments (developed at the start of the project, outlining how you will work together) and a group activity log.Each student will individually provide a reflection on their own contribution to the group work and evaluate the contribution of others. You will receive an individual mark for your contribution to the group work. This will be worth 10% of your final grade.
Class Test 30 1~2~3~4~5~6 12 HOURS= 30 minutes You will undertake an individual in-class test. This test will assess all of the learning outcomes, but with an emphasis on (LOs 4-6). This test is open book and will be completed on a computer in your week 12 computer lab. The test will be multiple choice, and will involve using SPSS (or other appropriate software) to perform simple functions.
Component 1 subtotal: 70
Component 2 subtotal: 30
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
SSC08108 Quantitative Research
 

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