MAT-22306 Quantitative Research Methodology and Statistics

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

MAT-15303 Statistics 1 + MAT-15403 Statistics 2 or MAT-14303 Basic Statistics or MAT-15403 Statistics 2

Continuation courses:

AEP-21306 Econometrics and YRM-50806 Quantitative Data Analysis: Multivariate Techniques.

Contents:

Designing quantitative research:
- types of research questions for surveys and experiments in Social Sciences;
- sampling procedures;
Statistical analysis:
- estimation, confidence intervals and testing hypothesis;
- cross-tables;
- regression analysis: introduction, meaning parameters, parameter estimation, t-test for one linear combination of the parameters, F-tests for linear restrictions;
- analysis of variance: one-way, factorial designs;
- factor analysis: scale development, loadings, interpretation;
- practical work using SPSS.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- comprehend the basic ideas of statistical inference, study design and data collection relevant to surveys and experiments that are typical for the social sciences;
- understand the backgrounds, the goals, assumptions and features of the data analysis techniques;
- be able to determine the appropriate statistical procedure, given the description of the study design, the research question and the type of data;
- be able to carry out the needed analyses for the discussed situations and interpret the results in terms of the problem;
- be able to perform independently data analysis techniques with the computer package SPSS.

Activities:

- in an introductory lecture relevant research questions from the field of social sciences will be discussed;
- during the interactive lectures problem sets are worked out and discussed;
- during the computer practicals students learn how to analyse data using SPSS;
- every week they get a home assignment, which is embedded in a case study.

Examination:

Written open book exam with multiple choice questions (100%).

Literature:

- book: Discovering Statistics using IBM SPSS Statistics by Andy Field, 5th edition ISBN: 9781526419521
- Study Guide (version January 2019), available at the WUR-shop.