Social Sciences Research Methods Programme course timetable
Monday 12 November 2018
09:00 |
Researching Organisations
Finished
This course provides an introduction to some of the methodological issues involved in researching organisations. Drawing on examples of studies carried out in a wide range of different types of organisation, the aim will be to explore practical strategies to overcome some of problems that are typically encountered in undertaking such studies. |
10:00 |
Basic Quantitative Analysis (BQA-2)
Finished
This module follows on from Foundations in Applied statistics, and will teach you the basics of common bivariate techniques (that is, techniques that examine the associations between two variables). The module is divided between lectures, in which you'll learn the relevant theory, and hands-on practical sessions, in which you will learn how to apply these techniques to the analysis of real data. Techniques to be covered include:
For best results, students should expect to do a few hours of private study and spend a little extra time in the computer labs, in addition to coming to class. |
Basic Quantitative Analysis (BQA-1)
Finished
This module follows on from Foundations in Applied statistics, and will teach you the basics of common bivariate techniques (that is, techniques that examine the associations between two variables). The module is divided between lectures, in which you'll learn the relevant theory, and hands-on practical sessions, in which you will learn how to apply these techniques to the analysis of real data. Techniques to be covered include:
For best results, students should expect to do a few hours of private study and spend a little extra time in the computer labs, in addition to coming to class. |
|
14:00 |
Basic Quantitative Analysis (BQA-1)
Finished
This module follows on from Foundations in Applied statistics, and will teach you the basics of common bivariate techniques (that is, techniques that examine the associations between two variables). The module is divided between lectures, in which you'll learn the relevant theory, and hands-on practical sessions, in which you will learn how to apply these techniques to the analysis of real data. Techniques to be covered include:
For best results, students should expect to do a few hours of private study and spend a little extra time in the computer labs, in addition to coming to class. |
Diary Research
Finished
This four-part workshop series provides an introduction to using solicited diaries as a research tool. The main goal of the course is to add diary methodology to students’ research toolboxes. It is a flexible and versatile tool that has been used by researchers in many fields, including public health, nursing, psychology, media studies, education, and sociology. The workshop is suitable for anybody interested in learning more about the method and/or using diaries in their research. The course covers the use of qualitative and quantitative types of diaries, both as a self-standing tool and as a part of mixed-method research designs. The lectures and workshops aim to provide theoretical and practical foundations, as well as first-hand experience with solicited diaries as a research tool. The course also provides unique insights into diary data analysis and its challenges. The course is equally driven by lectures and student participation/practicums. The initial workshop (Week 1) provides a solid theoretical introduction to the diary methodology, including the history of the method, qualitative and quantitative variants, modes of delivery, and use of technology. The follow-up workshops sequentially advance this knowledge base through practical exercises and discussions (Weeks 2 & 4), as well as a specialist lecture (Week 3) on data management, participant communication, ethics and data analysis. |
|
16:00 |
Basic Quantitative Analysis (BQA-2)
Finished
This module follows on from Foundations in Applied statistics, and will teach you the basics of common bivariate techniques (that is, techniques that examine the associations between two variables). The module is divided between lectures, in which you'll learn the relevant theory, and hands-on practical sessions, in which you will learn how to apply these techniques to the analysis of real data. Techniques to be covered include:
For best results, students should expect to do a few hours of private study and spend a little extra time in the computer labs, in addition to coming to class. |
Reading and Understanding Statistics
Finished
This module is for students who don’t plan to use quantitative methods in their own research, but who need to be able to read and understand published research using quantitative methods. You will learn how to interpret graphs, frequency tables and multivariate regression results, and to ask intelligent questions about sampling, methods and statistical inference. The module is aimed at complete beginners, with no prior knowledge of statistics or quantitative methods. |
Tuesday 13 November 2018
14:00 |
Introduction to Stata (Michaelmas)
Finished
The course will provide students with an introduction to the popular and powerful statistics package Stata. Stata is commonly used by analysts in both the social and natural sciences, and is the statistics package used most widely by the SSRMC. You will learn:
The course is intended for students who already have a working knowledge of statistics - it's designed primarily as a ""second language"" course for students who are already familiar with another package, perhaps R or SPSS. Students who don't already have a working knowledge of applied statistics should look at courses in our Basic Statistics Stream. |
Wednesday 14 November 2018
10:00 |
Basic Quantitative Analysis (BQA-4)
Finished
This module follows on from Foundations in Applied statistics, and will teach you the basics of common bivariate techniques (that is, techniques that examine the associations between two variables). The module is divided between lectures, in which you'll learn the relevant theory, and hands-on practical sessions, in which you will learn how to apply these techniques to the analysis of real data. Techniques to be covered include:
For best results, students should expect to do a few hours of private study and spend a little extra time in the computer labs, in addition to coming to class. |
Basic Quantitative Analysis (BQA-3)
Finished
This module follows on from Foundations in Applied statistics, and will teach you the basics of common bivariate techniques (that is, techniques that examine the associations between two variables). The module is divided between lectures, in which you'll learn the relevant theory, and hands-on practical sessions, in which you will learn how to apply these techniques to the analysis of real data. Techniques to be covered include:
For best results, students should expect to do a few hours of private study and spend a little extra time in the computer labs, in addition to coming to class. |
|
13:00 |
Working with Archives
Finished
This unit is an introduction to archival research methods for postgraduates. Our goal is to develop an understanding of the key values and practices of both archival preservation and interpretation. Knowing the values and practices at the interface between evidence and argumentation will allow us to formulate a better awareness of the logics, accounts, and justifications of the methods researchers employ to do their work. Participants will develop a familiarity with the main considerations and techniques used in archival research as well as the different archival resources available to undertake independent research projects. |
14:00 |
Basic Quantitative Analysis (BQA-3)
Finished
This module follows on from Foundations in Applied statistics, and will teach you the basics of common bivariate techniques (that is, techniques that examine the associations between two variables). The module is divided between lectures, in which you'll learn the relevant theory, and hands-on practical sessions, in which you will learn how to apply these techniques to the analysis of real data. Techniques to be covered include:
For best results, students should expect to do a few hours of private study and spend a little extra time in the computer labs, in addition to coming to class. |
16:00 |
Basic Quantitative Analysis (BQA-4)
Finished
This module follows on from Foundations in Applied statistics, and will teach you the basics of common bivariate techniques (that is, techniques that examine the associations between two variables). The module is divided between lectures, in which you'll learn the relevant theory, and hands-on practical sessions, in which you will learn how to apply these techniques to the analysis of real data. Techniques to be covered include:
For best results, students should expect to do a few hours of private study and spend a little extra time in the computer labs, in addition to coming to class. |
Monday 19 November 2018
09:00 |
Researching Organisations
Finished
This course provides an introduction to some of the methodological issues involved in researching organisations. Drawing on examples of studies carried out in a wide range of different types of organisation, the aim will be to explore practical strategies to overcome some of problems that are typically encountered in undertaking such studies. |
10:00 |
Doing Multivariate Analysis (DMA-1)
Finished
This module will introduce you to the theory and practice of multivariate analysis, covering Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and logistic regressions. You will learn how to read published results critically, to do simple multivariate modelling yourself, and to interpret and write about your results intelligently. Half of the module is based in the lecture theatre, and covers the theory behind multivariate regression; the other half is lab-based, in which students will work through practical exercises using statistical software. To get the most out of the course, you should also expect to spend some time between sessions having fun by building your own statistical models. |
14:00 |
Doing Multivariate Analysis (DMA-1)
Finished
This module will introduce you to the theory and practice of multivariate analysis, covering Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and logistic regressions. You will learn how to read published results critically, to do simple multivariate modelling yourself, and to interpret and write about your results intelligently. Half of the module is based in the lecture theatre, and covers the theory behind multivariate regression; the other half is lab-based, in which students will work through practical exercises using statistical software. To get the most out of the course, you should also expect to spend some time between sessions having fun by building your own statistical models. |
NVivo
Finished
These two sessions will provide a basic introduction to the management and analysis of qualitative data using NVivo 12 for Windows*. The sessions will introduce participants to the following:
Please note: NVivo for Mac will not be covered. |
|
16:00 |
This short two-hour course will provide an introduction to measurement issues in the social sciences. We design questions (or "survey instruments") to gain information on the concepts we are researching. Two prime considerations in whether an instrument is effective are validity (does our instrument actually measure what we want it to measure?) and reliability (does our instrument give consistent results across a range of different situations?) Considerations of validity and reliability are important across many areas of social science, including the measurement of personality and mental health; attitudes; ability tests; substance use disorders; and cultural differences and similarities between various groups. The course will discuss the importance, concepts, and types of validity and reliability. We will also briefly look at some statistical techniques for validity and reliability checks: Cronbach’s Alpha, Kappa coefficient, and Factor Analysis. |
Tuesday 20 November 2018
14:00 |
These two sessions will provide a basic introduction to the management and analysis of relational databases, using Microsoft Access and a set of historical datasets. The workshops will introduce participants to the following:
|
Wednesday 21 November 2018
10:00 |
Doing Multivariate Analysis (DMA-2)
Finished
This module will introduce you to the theory and practice of multivariate analysis, covering Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and logistic regressions. You will learn how to read published results critically, to do simple multivariate modelling yourself, and to interpret and write about your results intelligently. Half of the module is based in the lecture theatre, and covers the theory behind multivariate regression; the other half is lab-based, in which students will work through practical exercises using statistical software. To get the most out of the course, you should also expect to spend some time between sessions having fun by building your own statistical models. |
Doing Multivariate Analysis (DMA-3)
Finished
This module will introduce you to the theory and practice of multivariate analysis, covering Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and logistic regressions. You will learn how to read published results critically, to do simple multivariate modelling yourself, and to interpret and write about your results intelligently. Half of the module is based in the lecture theatre, and covers the theory behind multivariate regression; the other half is lab-based, in which students will work through practical exercises using statistical software. To get the most out of the course, you should also expect to spend some time between sessions having fun by building your own statistical models. |
|
13:00 |
Working with Archives
Finished
This unit is an introduction to archival research methods for postgraduates. Our goal is to develop an understanding of the key values and practices of both archival preservation and interpretation. Knowing the values and practices at the interface between evidence and argumentation will allow us to formulate a better awareness of the logics, accounts, and justifications of the methods researchers employ to do their work. Participants will develop a familiarity with the main considerations and techniques used in archival research as well as the different archival resources available to undertake independent research projects. |
14:00 |
Doing Multivariate Analysis (DMA-2)
Finished
This module will introduce you to the theory and practice of multivariate analysis, covering Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and logistic regressions. You will learn how to read published results critically, to do simple multivariate modelling yourself, and to interpret and write about your results intelligently. Half of the module is based in the lecture theatre, and covers the theory behind multivariate regression; the other half is lab-based, in which students will work through practical exercises using statistical software. To get the most out of the course, you should also expect to spend some time between sessions having fun by building your own statistical models. |
16:00 |
Doing Multivariate Analysis (DMA-3)
Finished
This module will introduce you to the theory and practice of multivariate analysis, covering Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and logistic regressions. You will learn how to read published results critically, to do simple multivariate modelling yourself, and to interpret and write about your results intelligently. Half of the module is based in the lecture theatre, and covers the theory behind multivariate regression; the other half is lab-based, in which students will work through practical exercises using statistical software. To get the most out of the course, you should also expect to spend some time between sessions having fun by building your own statistical models. |
Monday 26 November 2018
10:00 |
Doing Multivariate Analysis (DMA-1)
Finished
This module will introduce you to the theory and practice of multivariate analysis, covering Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and logistic regressions. You will learn how to read published results critically, to do simple multivariate modelling yourself, and to interpret and write about your results intelligently. Half of the module is based in the lecture theatre, and covers the theory behind multivariate regression; the other half is lab-based, in which students will work through practical exercises using statistical software. To get the most out of the course, you should also expect to spend some time between sessions having fun by building your own statistical models. |
14:00 |
Doing Multivariate Analysis (DMA-1)
Finished
This module will introduce you to the theory and practice of multivariate analysis, covering Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and logistic regressions. You will learn how to read published results critically, to do simple multivariate modelling yourself, and to interpret and write about your results intelligently. Half of the module is based in the lecture theatre, and covers the theory behind multivariate regression; the other half is lab-based, in which students will work through practical exercises using statistical software. To get the most out of the course, you should also expect to spend some time between sessions having fun by building your own statistical models. |
NVivo
Finished
These two sessions will provide a basic introduction to the management and analysis of qualitative data using NVivo 12 for Windows*. The sessions will introduce participants to the following:
Please note: NVivo for Mac will not be covered. |
|
16:00 |
Merging and Linking Data Sets
Finished
Merging and linking data sets are a process that researchers often encounter. In most cohort studies and longitudinal data sets, data on the same respondents who were interviewed at various times may be stored in different files. Or, data on different respondents but were interviewed at the same time, such as mothers and their children, may also be stored in various files. In either case, we may want to merge/link the files together before performing further analyses. This course will discuss two different ways of combining data files: merge (one-to-one merging and one-to-many merging) and append, and will demonstrate how to use ‘merge’ and ‘append’ commands in Stata. |