Quantitative Research (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Content scheduling

The following course contents will be included in the course:

Research plan,
Hypotheses testing,
Populations and samples,
Normality assumption of data,
Descriptive statistics,
Correlational analysis,
Regression analysis (simple, linear),
T-tests and ANOVA,
Validity and reliability of data, assumptions of parametric data,
Logistic regression and non-linear regression,
Explorative Factor analysis,
Non-parametric tests,
Revisiting assumptions of parametric data (Multi-collinearity, Autocorrelation and Heteroscedasticity)

Objective

Purpose of the course
The aim of the course is to understand the meaning of quantitative research and learn to use quantitative research methods in working life development and research.

Competences
Learning and information management
Ethical competence

Subject specific competences

Learning outcomes
You will acquire the knowledge and understanding of quantitative research methods and methodology. You will understands the strengths and the weaknesses of quantitative research. You will be able to conduct a quantitative research and assess it as well as its applicability to your own field of research and development work. You can identify the applications of well-reasoned methods pertaining to quantitative data for solving different types of research questions.

Content

The focus of the course will be on the following aspects:
Epistemological grounds of quantitative research
Definition of the research topic, formulation of the research questions
Process of quantitative research
Methods of data collection
Main analysis methods for Master's thesis
Reliability of quantitative research
Ethics in quantitative research

To understand the above the following course contents will be included in the course:

Research plan,
Hypotheses testing,
Populations and samples,
Normality assumption of data,
Descriptive statistics,
Correlational analysis,
Regression analysis (simple, linear),
T-tests and ANOVA,
Validity and reliability of data, assumptions of parametric data,
Logistic regression and non-linear regression,
Explorative Factor analysis,
Non-parametric tests,
Revisiting assumptions of parametric data (Multi-collinearity, Autocorrelation and Heteroscedasticity)

Location and time

The course is held in the spring semester.

Materials

Study Material
Lecture slides and spreadsheets, research articles and pre-recorded lecture videos.

Text Book (1) Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS Statistics (5th Edition) by Andy Field Publishers: SAGE Publishing
ISBN-13: 978-1526436566, ISBN-10: 1526436566

Technology
Microsoft Excel, SPSS

Teaching methods

The primary modes of delivery of the course is face-to-face learning (lectures, workshops, presentations). The teaching methods are comprising of lecture-based learning with explicit focus on technology-based learning, Group learning involving students analyzing data by applying multiple techniques, and individual learning whereby students reflecting their knowledge and skills.

The course aims to explore various aspects of
-Epistemological grounds of quantitative research
-Definition of the research topic, formulation of the research questions
-Process of quantitative research
-Methods of data collection
-Multiple analysis methods
-Reliability of quantitative research
-Ethics in quantitative research

The attendance of the students in the classroom in mandatory. Any unauthorized absence can lead to disenrollment from the course.

Exam schedules

Exam dates will be disclosed a week before the commencement of the course.

Student workload

Lectures 27 h
Assignments 54 h
Independent study 54 h
Total 135h ( one credit equals 27 hours of student work)

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Sufficient 1
You demonstrate an understanding of the epistemological grounds of quantitative research as well as its strengths and weaknesses. You are able to recognise different quantitative materials and methods that are suited for the solution of different types of research assignments. You have the basic preparedness to carry out quantitative research. You perceive and implement how quantitative research is assessed.

Satisfactory 2
You demonstrate an understanding of the epistemological grounds of quantitative research as well as its strengths and weaknesses. You are able to recognise and select different quantitative materials and methods that are suited for the solution of different types of problem assignments. You have the basic preparedness to carry out quantitative research. You perceive and implement how quantitative research is assessed and apply the information to the research and development work related to your own field.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Good 3
You demonstrate an understanding of the epistemological grounds of quantitative research as well as its strengths and weaknesses. You are able to select and justify your choice of quantitative material and methods that are suited to solving the research assignments of your thesis and problem assignments. You are well prepared to carry out quantitative research. You can assess quantitative research and perceive, and apply your knowledge and skills to the research and development work related to your own field.

Very good 4
You demonstrate an understanding of the epistemological grounds of quantitative research as well as its strengths and weaknesses. You are able to select and justify your choice of quantitative material and methods that are suited to solving the research assignments of your thesis and problem assignments. You are well prepared to carry out quantitative research. You can assess quantitative research and perceive, and apply your knowledge and skills to the research and development work related to your own field to a higher level; and draw suitable inferences.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent 5
You demonstrate an understanding of the epistemological grounds of quantitative research as well as its strengths and weaknesses. You are able to select and justify your choice of quantitative material and methods that are suited to solving the research assignments of your thesis and problem assignments. You are well prepared to carry out quantitative research. You can assess quantitative research and perceive, and apply your knowledge and skills to the research and development work related to your own field to an excellent level; and draw suitable inferences.

Qualifications

You must have a basic understanding of quantitative methods and their applications.

Further information

(A) Data Analysis (40% weight)-Individual work: Each one of you will be given a data set and you will be required to:

(1) Apply various types of data analysis methods via SPSS.
(2) Interpret and infer the results on the other hand in an excel file.

(B) Online written examination (60% weight)
Based on contents studied in the lecture slides and recommended research articles, there will a one hour long online written examination. You will be required to attempt two out of three questions.