The course is included in these curricula and study modules
Level/category
Teaching language
English
Type of course
Compulsory
Cycle/level of course
First
Recommended year of study
3
Total number of ECTS
2 cr
Competency aims
The overall aim of this module is that you develop a general literacy and understanding for the quantitative approach, both as part of your own research and as a source of references to be used in your own research.
Learning outcomes
After having passed this module:
You are aware of the extensive reporting of results based on quantitative methods in both public and scientific media,
You understand the structure of a quantitative data set and you are familiar with the basic methods for administering and modifying data both in spreadsheets and in a statistics software.
You are familiar with different data types and scales, you understand the difference between them and how to use them in a spreadsheet or in a statistics software.
You have developed a basic literacy for reading, interpreting, drawing conclusions and reporting results from statistical analyses;
- You know how to interpret the basic descriptives regarding variables in a data set (such as mean, median, standard deviation and variance) and what conclusions you may draw from them.
- You are familiar with basic univariate and bivariate analysis procedures (such as comparing means, confidence intervals, cross-tabs, correlations analysis) and what conclusions you may draw from the results.
- You are familiar with standard formats for expressing and reporting results from statistical analyses, and you know how to read and interpret them.
You are able to retrieve evidence for your research from statistical results reported in other studies.
You are familiar with the possibilities for creating evidence for your own study through statistical analyses.
Course contents
During the module a spreadsheet software and the statistics software SPSS (or PSPP) will be used for practicing and demonstrating the various analyses. This is done through learning by doing, i.e. by performing selected operations and analyses on sample data sets using a statistics software. Focus is mainly on a literacy for reading and interpreting results and on the possibilities and limitations of statistical analyses, less on the technical use of statistics software.
Prerequisites and co-requisites
The course is intended for students who plan to
start their thesis work within 2 years.
Additional information
The Introductory assignment needs to be handed in by week 41, i.e. prior to the introductory seminar week 42.
The other tests have deadlines between the weeks 44-49, during which time drop-in tutorials are offered.
Recommended or required reading
Textbook and video clips on itslearning
Study activities
- Lectures - 2 hours
- Individual- and group instruction - 9 hours
- Internet-based studies - 43 hours
Workload
- Total workload of the course: 54 hours
- Of which autonomous studies: 54 hours
- Of which scheduled studies: 0 hours
Mode of Delivery
Supported virtual education
Assessment methods
Assessment requirements
The exercices are assessed using self correcting tests, where you perform certain analyses and report the results and the conclusions you have arrived at.
To accomplish this course you need to pass the introductory (group) assignment and all the (individual) tests. See itslearning, the Tests folder
Teacher
- Andersson Mirja
- Ståhl Tore
Examiner
Andersson Mirja
Home page of the course
Group size
No limit
Assignments valid until
12 months after course has ended
Assessment methods
Date will be announced later - Other assignments