Quantitative Research in Sociology 480-ERS-1QRS

This course offers a comprehensive overview of quantitative research methods as applied to the study of social phenomena. Students will learn how to translate sociological problems into measurable research questions and develop appropriate research designs. Key topics include measurement theory, operationalization of concepts, sampling strategies, survey design, and methods of data collection.

Emphasis will be placed on the use of basic statistical tools to summarize, analyze, and interpret social data. Students will gain practical experience in data management and analysis using statistical software (such as SPSS, R, or Excel). The course also teaches students to critically assess published quantitative research, understand the strengths and limitations of different research strategies, and communicate findings effectively.
By the end of the course, students will be prepared to design, conduct, and report basic quantitative studies in sociology.

Rodzaj przedmiotu

obowiązkowe

Założenia (opisowo)

This course provides an introduction to quantitative research methods used in sociology. Students will learn to formulate research questions, design studies, and apply statistical techniques to analyze social data. Emphasis is placed on understanding the logic of quantitative inquiry, including concepts such as measurement, sampling, and hypothesis testing. Through practical exercises, students will gain experience in using statistical software to manage and interpret data. The course aims to equip students with the skills necessary to critically assess quantitative research and to conduct their own analyses of social phenomena.

Koordynatorzy przedmiotu

Alicja Zawistowska-Sadowska

Efekty kształcenia

Knowledge:
SO_W04 — The student has knowledge of selected methods and techniques of sociological research, as well as the key components and stages of the research process in social sciences.

Skills:
SO_U02 — The student is able to independently and collaboratively plan and conduct simple research projects using basic quantitative methods and techniques.

SO_U03 — The student can analyze and interpret empirical data using basic statistical tools and appropriate software (e.g., SPSS, R).

Social Competences:
SO_K02 — The student is prepared to critically assess the results of social research and understands the importance of reliability and ethics in conducting quantitative studies.

Literatura

Babbie, E. (2020). The Practice of Social Research (15th Edition). Cengage Learning.
(A comprehensive introduction to research methods, including detailed chapters on quantitative design and analysis.)

Bryman, A. (2016). Social Research Methods (5th Edition). Oxford University Press.
(Focuses on both theoretical foundations and practical applications of quantitative research in social sciences.)

Neuman, W. L. (2013). Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches (7th Edition). Pearson.
(A classic text presenting both research traditions, with a strong section on quantitative methods.)

Recommended Reading:
Agresti, A., & Finlay, B. (2009). Statistical Methods for the Social Sciences (4th Edition). Pearson.
(In-depth overview of statistical tools and techniques commonly used in sociology.)

Frankfort-Nachmias, C., & Leon-Guerrero, A. (2017). Social Statistics for a Diverse Society (8th Edition). SAGE Publications.
(Accessible guide to applying statistics in diverse sociological contexts.)

Field, A. (2018). Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS Statistics (5th Edition). SAGE Publications.
(A user-friendly guide for beginners using SPSS in social data analysis.)

Więcej informacji

Dodatkowe informacje (np. o kalendarzu rejestracji, prowadzących zajęcia, lokalizacji i terminach zajęć) mogą być dostępne w serwisie USOSweb:

Strona przedmiotu 480-ERS-1QRS w USOSweb