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Semester 2

Doing Survey Research (SCIL10063)

Subject

Sociology

College

CAHSS

Credits

20

Normal Year Taken

3

Delivery Session Year

2023/2024

Pre-requisites

Visiting students must have completed at least 2 Social Science courses (i.e. Sociology, Politics, Social Policy, Social Anthropology, African Studies, American Studies, Gender/Queer Studies) at grade B or above. We will only consider University/College level courses. **Please see Additional Restrictions below**

Course Summary

This course is designed to meet the needs of those students who want to develop their knowledge of survey methods, introductory statistics and quantitative data analysis. You will learn how to access and analyse extensive secondary data, to create and analyse large survey data using the leading social scientific software for the analysis of statistical data, SPSS. The course addresses issues in the understanding of different forms of data, a range of survey research issues, and in reviewing aspects of social survey research methods encourages you to critically assess theory and explore productive ways of examining aspects of human experience. You will develop your skills in a range of data analysis techniques and have an opportunity to think about the kinds of decisions you may have to make in developing your project/dissertation. The course includes an introduction to social surveys and statistics, and specific techniques of data analysis are developed by examining a number of contemporary social surveys. You will have a chance in the course for hands-on work using the most up to date computing hardware and software.

Course Description

Doing Survey Research comprises the latter half of the compulsory Methods courses for degrees in the Social Policy and Sociology subject areas. This course is designed to meet the needs of those students who want to access and analyse extensive secondary data, or to create and analyse survey material where it makes sense to use dedicated statistical software. It will develop your skills in a range of data analysis techniques and provides an opportunity to think about the kinds of decisions you may have to make in developing your project/dissertation. The course includes an introduction to surveys and social statistics as well as a hands-on introduction to survey analysis. Core texts include: David de Vaus (2002) Surveys in Social Research, 5t h ed., London: Routledge. (Link to book on Learn) Online Statistics Education web site, developed by David M. Lane. (URL: http://onlinestatbook.com/2/index.html)

Assessment Information

Written Exam 0%, Coursework 100%, Practical Exam 0%

Additional Restrictions

This course is high-demand, meaning that there is a very high number of students wishing to enrol in a very limited number of spaces. Enrolment is managed by the Visiting Student Office, in line with the quotas allocated by the departments, and all enquiries to enrol in these courses must be made through the CAHSS Visiting Student Office. It is NOT appropriate for students to contact the department directly to request additional spaces.

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