Online Quantitative Research Methods
Spring, 2010
Theresa Vidalon, MSW
tvidal2@uic.edu
773-319-9587
Course Description
This course will explore quantitative research methodology, introductory statistics, survey design, and quantitative database construction.
Knowledge, Value, and Skill Learning Objectives of the Course
Students will:
Knowledge
- Gain knowledge of basic quantitative research methodology
- Understand research design and database construction
- Learn about descriptive and inferential statistical analyses
Value
- Discuss potential biases in quantitative research
- Explore implications of questionnaire design
- Recognize the value and power of statistics
Skills
- Perform descriptive and inferential statistical analyses
- Become proficient in basic research interviewing and questionnaire design
- Construct SPSS databases
Required Texts*
1. Huff, D. (1993). How to lie with statistics. New York: W.W.Norton & Company.
2. Weinbach, R. W., & Grinnell Jr., R. M. (2004). Statistics for social workers. (6th ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.
*Any edition is acceptable as long as the student locates the correct readings.
Required Software
SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Services) Grad Pack
Grading
A |
Superior Work evidenced by assignments and class participation that reflect outstanding understanding of class materials, consistent demonstration of critical and analytical skills, and creativity. |
B |
Satisfactory Work evidenced by assignments and class participation that reflect essential understanding of class materials and frequent demonstration of critical and analytical skills. |
C |
Marginal Work evidenced by assignments and class participation that reflect some understanding of class materials and occasional demonstration of critical and analytical skills. |
F |
Failure evidenced by assignments and class participation that reflect insufficient understanding of class materials and limited critical and analytical skills. |
Assignments
Class attendance and participation |
20% |
|
Survey |
15% |
Due Class 3 |
Database |
15% |
Due Class 5 |
Examples of statistics |
15% |
Due Class 6 |
Final Project |
35% |
Due Class 8 |
Class attendance and participation is defined by regularly and promptly attending class with a willingness to engage in a thoughtful discussion and ask questions about the assigned readings and class topics. Students must obtain instructor approval prior to missing a class. A missed class cannot be made up.
The Survey assignment requires interviewing five people using five questions with a minimum of three demographic variables. Try to include at least a few people that you do not know. A 1-2 page paper describing the purpose of your survey, how you recruited your sample, the location of the interview, and the variables, response categories, and level of measurement for each question should be discussed. Submit both a copy of the survey and the paper. Be prepared to talk about your survey experience in class, including what did or did not work when introducing the survey and asking your questions.
The Database assignment involves creating a SPSS database using the five completed surveys from the Survey assignment. This includes creating and labeling variables, entering data, and conducting data cleaning. Write a 1-2 page paper describing the steps taken to create and clean the database, the types of statistics you could use to analyze the data, and the potential graphs or charts that could be used to depict the data. Submit both the database and the paper. Be prepared to discuss your experience in class.
The Examples of statics assignment entails providing an overview of three statistics found on the Internet, in newspaper articles, commercials, etc. that you have found to be of interest. Be prepared to provide a 5-10 minute statement listing: the background information on the statistics, the statistics used, questions or concerns you have about the statistics, and how the statistics could potentially be used.
The Final Project combines the knowledge and skills learned in class and the other assignments. Five people should be interviewed using seven demographic questions and ten general questions determined by the student. Your sample can be the same as the sample used in the Survey assignment. If you choose to use the same sample, potential implications of interviewing respondents more than once should be discussed in the paper. Additionally, questions from the Survey assignment may be utilized and the database previously created may be enlarged as part of the Final Project. The completed surveys should be entered into a SPSS database and analyzed. Write a 5 page paper describing: the purpose of your survey, how you recruited your sample, the location of the interview, interview questions and their corresponding variables, the response categories for each question, level of measurement of the variables, the steps taken to create and clean the database, the statistics used to analyze the data, and the SPSS output pasted into a word document (including at least 2 or 3 graphic representations of your data, which should also be pasted into a word document). The SPSS output depicts the results of the statistics used to analyze the survey data. This should be interpreted in the paper as well. Submit the survey, database, and paper.
Topical Outline, Required Readings, and Discussion Questions
Class One: Introduction and Overview
- Class Overview
- Quantitative Research Methodology
- Quantitative versus Qualitative Research
- Databases and Statistics
- Quantitative Dissertations
Required Readings:
Huff, D. (1993). Introduction. In How to lie with statistics. New York: W.W.Norton & Company.
Class Two: Quantitative Research Methodology
- Statistical and Research Terminology
- Variable Operationalization
- Research Questions and Hypotheses
- Levels of Measurement
- Sampling
- Class Exercises and SPSS data sets
Required Readings:
Huff, D. (1993). Chapter 1: The sample with built-in bias. In How to lie with statistics. New York: W.W.Norton & Company.
Weinbach, R. W., & Grinnell Jr., R. M. (2004). Chapter 1: Introduction. In Statistics for social workers. (6th ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.
Class Three: Research Design
- Basic Survey/Questionnaire Design
- Demographic Questions
- Choosing Response Categories
- Coding
- Quantifying Qualitative Data
Class Four: SPSS Database Design
- Creating Databases
- Cleaning Databases
- Sample Analysis
- Class Exercises and SPSS data sets
Class Five: Descriptive Statistics
- Frequency Distributions
- Central Tendency
- Variability
- Normal Distributions
- Class Exercises and SPSS data sets
- Discussion of Statistics Examples
Required Readings:
Huff, D. (1993). Chapter 2: The well-chosen average. In How to lie with statistics. New York: W.W.Norton & Company.
Weinbach, R. W., & Grinnell Jr., R. M. (2004). Chapter 2: Frequency distributions and graphs. In Statistics for social workers. (6th ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.
Weinbach, R. W., & Grinnell Jr., R. M. (2004). Chapter 3: Measures of central tendency and variability. In Statistics for social workers. (6th ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.
Weinbach, R. W., & Grinnell Jr., R. M. (2004). Chapter 4: The normal distribution. In Statistics for social workers. (6th ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.
Class Six: Inferential Statistics
- Correlation
- Cross-Tabulation
- t -Tests
- Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
- Class Exercises and SPSS data sets
Required Readings:
Huff, D. (1993). Chapter 3: The little figures that are not there. In How to lie with statistics. New York: W.W.Norton & Company.
Huff, D. (1993). Chapter 4: Much ado about practically nothing. In How to lie with statistics. New York: W.W.Norton & Company.
Huff, D. (1993). Chapter 8: Post hoc rides again. In How to lie with statistics. New York: W.W.Norton & Company.
Weinbach, R. W., & Grinnell Jr., R. M. (2004). Chapter 8: Correlation. In Statistics for social workers. (6th ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.
Weinbach, R. W., & Grinnell Jr., R. M. (2004). Chapter 10: Cross tabulation. In Statistics for social workers. (6th ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.
Weinbach, R. W., & Grinnell Jr., R. M. (2004). Chapter 11: t tests and analysis of variance. In Statistics for social workers. (6th ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.
Class Seven: Analysis and Interpreting Results
- Analysis Strategies for Survey Data
- Critical Examination of Charts and Graphs
- Ways Statistics can be Misleading or Deceptive
- Ethical Implications of Research and Statistics
- Class Exercises and SPSS data sets
Required Readings:
Huff, D. (1993). Chapter 5: The gee-whiz graph. In How to lie with
statistics. New York: W.W.Norton & Company.
Huff, D. (1993). Chapter 6: The one-dimensional picture. In How to lie with statistics. New York: W.W.Norton & Company.
Huff, D. (1993). Chapter 7: The semiattached figure. In How to lie with statistics. New York: W.W.Norton & Company.
Class Eight: Summary
- Review of Class Topics
- Discussion of Quantitative Methods for Dissertations
Required Readings:
Huff, D. (1993). Chapter 9: How to Statisticulate. In How to lie with statistics. New York: W.W.Norton & Company.
Huff, D. (1993). Chapter 10: How to Talk Back to Statistics. In How to lie with statistics. New York: W.W.Norton & Company