YSS-20306 Research Methods for B&C

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

Dutch

Assumed knowledge on:

YSS-10304 MAT-11804

Contents:

Participants develop skills to carry out both qualitative and quantitative empirical research. The focus is on data gathering and analysis. Attention will also be paid to the link between these phases and the research process in total.

Aims:

- enlarge previously obtained skills (YSS-10304) to set up a research design with respect to a) data gathering, and b) the analysis of the data, starting from a research problem and hypotheses - obtain knowledge on and skills in different ways to gather data. Ways of data gathering are especially crucial, complex, and strongly developed in qualitative research. Focus is on training in qualitative open interviews, observation, and content analysis;
- obtain knowledge on and skills in the analysis of the gathered data in order to answer research questions and/or to test hypotheses. Data analysis is especially crucial, complex, and strongly developed in quantitative research. Building on the knowledge and skills acquired in MAT-11804, the focus is on four often-used data-analysis techniques: crosstabulator, regression analysis, analysis of variance, and factor analysis; their background, application, and practical use in the statistical software package SPSS.

Activities:

- study of literature;
- lectures and practicals;
- group work on exercises.

Examination:

Reports on exercises and written exam.

Literature:

Yes.