W.
RM 621
Quantitative Research Methods
 
Spring, 2008 

Denise Duval, PhD, LCSW
773/562-6042
dduval@icsw.edu


Course Description

This course is designed to further knowledge of quantitative research methods and statistical analyses and interpretation, gain an understanding of how quantitative techniques can be integrated into qualitative studies, and familiarize students with a common quantitative database system (SPSS).
 

Course Objectives

  1. Learn to understand and use basic quantitative concepts, research methods, and statistical analyses
  2. Learn to conceptualize qualitative material in a quantitative manner
  3. Develop an SPSS database.


Course Format

  • Lectures
  • Discussions
  • Project Assignments
  • Computer Application 


Grading

30% Assignments
20% Class Participation
50% Final Project – SPSS Database, statistical analysis and interpretation
 

Required Materials

Huff, D. (1993). How to lie with statistics. NY: W.W. Norton & Company. (original print 1954)

Weinbach, R. & Grinnell, R. (2004). Statistics for social workers (6th ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc. 

Statistical Package for Social Services (SPSS) -- Current student version

 

Course Outline

Class 1:  Introduction

  • Course objectives and expectations
  • Course format 
  • Key purpose of quantitative research methods and major differences between quantitative and qualitative techniques
  • Use of quantitative methods for dissertations
  • Database familiarity and uses
Reading for this class period:  
Huff -- Introduction

Come prepared to talk about familiarity with and/or anxieties related to research, quantitative methods, and statistics. 
 

Class 2:  Basic Concepts of Quantitative Methods 

  • Statistical and research terminology
  • Research hypothesis and research questions
  • Sampling
  • Quantitative research methodologies
  • SPSS data set examples
Reading for this class period:  
Weinbach & Grinnell -- Chapter 1 – Introduction to statistical analysis
 

Class 3:  Descriptive Statistical Analyses

  • Frequency
  • Central tendency
  • Variability
  • Normal distributions
  • SPSS data set examples
Reading for this class period: 
Weinbach & Grinnell -- Chapter 2 – Frequency distributions and graphs; Chapter 3 – Central tendency and variability; Chapter 4 – Normal distributions 

Huff -- Chapter 2 – The sample with built-in bias; Chapter 3 – The well-chosen average
 

Class 4: Inferential Statistical Analyses

  • Correlations
  • Cross-tabulation
  • T-tests and analysis of variance
  • SPSS data set examples
Reading for this class period:  
Weinbach & Grinnell -- Chapter 8 – Correlation; Chapter 10 – Cross-Tabulations;  Chapter 11 – T-tests and analysis of variance

Huff -- Chapter 3 – The little figures that are not there; Chapter 4 – Much ado about practically nothing; Chapter 8 – Post hoc rides again

Bring in 2-3 examples of statistics in everyday life.  Examples can be from newspaper articles, television commercials, political surveys, etc. -- anything with charts, graphs, etc. is also of use.  Be prepared to talk about examples in relation to basic statistical concepts and analyses.
 

Class 5:  Research Design

  • Demographic information
  • Survey/questionnaire design
  • Coding (creating value categories)
  • Quantifying qualitative data
Assignment:  
Create a brief interview protocol including at least three demographic variables and five questions.  Interview five subjects.  Write a brief description of the variables and value categories chosen, including the level of measurement.  Turn in a copy of the protocol and the written description.  Due at Session 6.
 

Class 6:  Database Design (SPSS)

  • Introduction to SPSS database design
  • Key elements of database design
  • Creating a database
  • Sample analysis
  • View sample database
Assignment:  
Build a database for previously created interview protocol and enter data.  Write a brief description of what types of statistics could be used for each variable (e.g., frequencies, measures of central tendency, etc.) and where graphs/charts could provide visual representation of the data.  Email database prior to class session.  Description can either be emailed as well or turned in during class session.  Due at Session 7.
 

Class 7:  Sample Analysis and Interpreting Results

  • Statistical analyses for survey/interview data
  • Critical review of charts and graphs - SPSS
  • Ways in which statistics can deceive
Reading for this class period:  
Huff -- Chapter 5 – The ghee-whiz graph; Chapter 6 – The one-dimensional picture; Chapter 7 – The semi-attached figure
 

Class 8:  Summary and Overview

  • Review of knowledge
  • Discussion of quantitative methods for dissertations
Reading for this class period:  
Huff -- Chapter 9 – How to statisticulate; Chapter 10 – How to talk back to statistics

Assignment:  
Completion of final interview protocol and SPSS database with statistical analyses and interpretation along with graphic representations.  Due THIS session.
 

FINAL PROJECT: Development and completion of a brief survey/interview protocol and creation of a simple SPSS database.  Students will begin designing a protocol and database during the course.  The final project should contain seven demographic questions and ten interview questions and should be analyzed and discussed using the procedures and methods covered in class.  At least two or three graphs/charts should accompany the analysis. Students may use the same the same subjects for interviewing purposes throughout the course.
 

Contents Copyright, Institute for Clinical Social Work

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