MY551M Half Unit
Introduction to Quantitative Analysis
This information is for the 2021/22 session.
Teacher responsible
Prof Patrick Sturgis
Availability
This course is compulsory on the MRes/PhD in Accounting (AOI) (Accounting, Organisations and Institutions Track) and MRes/PhD in Management (Employment Relations and Human Resources). This course is available on the MPhil/PhD in Cities Programme, MPhil/PhD in Health Policy and Health Economics, MPhil/PhD in International Relations, MPhil/PhD in Social Policy, MPhil/PhD in Social Research Methods, MPhil/PhD in Sociology, MRes/PhD in Management (Organisational Behaviour) and MRes/PhD in Political Science. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
The course is available to all research students.
This course is not controlled access. If you register for a place and meet the prerequisites, if any, you are likely to be given a place
Course content
An intensive introduction to quantitative data analysis in the social sciences. The course is intended for students with no previous experience of quantitative methods or statistics. It covers the foundations of descriptive statistics and statistical estimation and inference. At the end of the course students should be able to carry out univariate and bivariate data analysis and have an appreciation of multiple linear regression. The computer exercises give hands-on training in the application of statistical techniques to real social science research problems. No prior knowledge of any statistical software is necessary.
Teaching
This course is delivered through a combination of classes and lectures totalling a minimum of 20 hours per term. This year, some or all of this teaching will be delivered through a combination of virtual classes and flipped-lectures delivered as short online videos.
The course runs twice per year: in MT (MY551M) and again in LT (MY551L). The content of the course, and the method of assessment, is exactly the same in each term.
This course has a Reading Week in Week 6 of MT.
Formative coursework
Self-guided computer exercises to be completed before weekly classes for discussion.
Indicative reading
A course pack will be available for download online. Additional reading: many introductory statistics books are available. But we particularly recommend Alan Agresti and Christine Franklin (2009) Statistics: The Art and Science of Learning from Data. Pearson Education. Or Alan Agresti and Barbara Finlay (2009, 4th edition) Statistical Methods for the Social Sciences. Pearson Education (note that the second book is more advanced and is particularly useful if you are planning to take MY551 and MY552).
Assessment
Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours) in the summer exam period.
Course selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2021/22 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the differing needs of students in attendance on campus and those who might be studying online. For example, this may involve changes to the mode of teaching delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.
Key facts
Department: Methodology
Total students 2020/21: 10
Average class size 2020/21: 2
Value: Half Unit
