Social Science Research Methods I – Quantitative Research Design, Data Collection, and Analysis, 7.5 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Master's Programme in Ageing and Social Change

Entry requirements

• 150 ECTS credits of which 90 ECTS credits with progressive deepening within one main field of study.
• 5 ECTS credits method.
• 5 ECTS credits social sciences.
• English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (Engelska 6 or Engelska nivå 2).
  Exemption from Swedish.

Intended learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student should on an advanced level be able to:

• identify and discuss concepts and methods in social science research, with a focus on ageing and social change
• critically reflect on research design and methodological strengths and challenges in social science research
• formulate research questions and problems in ageing and social change
• apply quantitative methods to study people in society, with a focus on ageing and social change
• apply basic statistical methods to analyse empirical data
• apply ethical aspects in research and development work

Course content

The course provides a broad introduction to social science research methods, with a focus on quantitative empirical studies of people’s (un)equal living conditions, ageing and social change. The course introduces research methods for collecting and analysing empirical material, as well as basic statistical methods of analysis, such as correlation, t-tests, chi-square tests and linear regression, using statistical software such as SPSS. Furthermore, the course discusses challenges in social science research with a focus on population studies, such as selection bias, selective mortality, reporting bias and other threats to validity. During the course a theoretical base within fundamental principles of research and research methods such as cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, macro-, meso- and microdata, sampling and measurements are presented. Ethical considerations are also addressed, as well as the implications and challenges that studies of ageing and social change may entail.

Teaching and working methods

Teaching takes place at a distance with digital meetings. The teaching consists of lectures, seminars and group work. In addition, the student should conduct self-study.

The language of instruction and examination is English.

Examination

The course is examined through:

• Active participation in workshops, grading scale: pass/fail
• Active participation in seminars, grading scale: pass/fail
• Written group assignment, grading scale: pass/fail
• Multiple choice quizzes (individual), grading scale: pass/fail
• Written examination (individual), grading scale: ECTS

For a passed final grade (E), a pass is required on all examinations and an E on the individual written examination. Higher grades are based on the individual written examination. 

 Detailed information about the examination can be found in the study guide.

If special circumstances prevail, and if it is possible with consideration of the nature of the compulsory component, the examiner may decide to replace the compulsory component with another equivalent component.

If the LiU coordinator for students with disabilities has granted a student the right to an adapted examination for a written examination in an examination hall, the student has the right to it.

If the coordinator has recommended for the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination, the examiner may grant this if the examiner assesses that it is possible, based on consideration of the course objectives.

An examiner may also decide that an adapted examination or alternative form of examination if the examiner assessed that special circumstances prevail, and the examiner assesses that it is possible while maintaining the objectives of the course.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is conducted in such a way that there are equal opportunities with regard to sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation and age.

If special circumstances prevail, the vice-chancellor may in a special decision specify the preconditions for temporary deviations from this course syllabus, and delegate the right to take such decisions.

About teaching and examination language

The teaching language is presented in the Overview tab for each course. The examination language relates to the teaching language as follows: 

• If teaching language is “Swedish”, the course as a whole could be given in Swedish, or partly, or as a whole, in English. Examination language is Swedish, but parts of the examination can be in English.
• If teaching language is “English”, the course as a whole is taught in English. Examination language is English.
• If teaching language is “Swedish/English”, the course as a whole will be taught in English if students without prior knowledge of the Swedish language participate. Examination language is Swedish or English depending on teaching language.

Department