-
Assessing reliability and validity of empirical measurement instruments
-
Learning different statistical techniques for scale and factor analysis
-
Applying these techniques on empirical data to study explanatory research questions
-
Applying the above mentioned aspects to the measurement of social networks
|
|
The course introduces some of the main methods of measurement that are used in quantitative sociological research, e.g., scales of political, moral, and social attitudes, trust and interpersonal influence. Various methods to assess the validity (non-random errors) and reliability (random errors) of measurement such as reliability analysis and factor analysis will be discussed. In addition, some issues related to the validity and reliability with respect to the measurement of social networks will be addressed. The first six weeks of the course will be used for an introduction in these techniques and studying examples from some important research articles. The last three weeks will be used to write a research essay that combines some of the techniques. The weekly assignments deal with examples taken from real life research, where students have to replicate and improve on published analyses. In the last weeks, the students have to write a final research essay in which the construction of variables and the incorporation of these variables in explanatory analysis is combined. This assignment should lead to a short research paper including a specific research question, one or more hypotheses, and tests of these hypotheses. The students meet three times each week: [a] lecture, [b] computer lab, [c] work group with presentation and discussion of (intermediate) results to the assignments. Students prepare a report on the assignments on a weekly basis.
This course aims to contribute to achieving the following learning outcomes of the Bachelor's in Sociology :
Issues/Theory:
1e Derive hypotheses from existing sociological theories which offer an answer to the questions formulated or devise new theories which can provide an answer.
1g Determine how strong a suggested solution/theory is in the light of logical consistency and/or empirical findings.
Research:
2b Test theories in an appropriate research scheme and select and apply suitable techniques for analysis and draw conclusions from this.
2c Make judgements about the strength of the empirical research carried out.
Academic skills:
4a Possess general professional and academic proficiency in both Dutch and English.
4b Reading texts: understanding and interpretation; differentiate between main and side issues.
4c Ability to report in writing at the level of a starting academic professional in such a way that a general audience can understand the importance of what is written.
4d Ability to present orally as well as debate, clearly formulate ideas and produce satisfactory reports.
4e Ability to work and plan work independently.
4f Ability to participate actively in group discussions, provide constructive criticism and cooperate in small groups.
4g Ability to look up and select relevant information in the library and on the internet, and to utilize ICT facilities.
Ethics:
5b Ability to apply this code of conduct in specific research situations.
Assumed knowledge
One basic course in statistics and one course in regression analysis,
basic skills of SPSS including working with syntax.
Sound knowledge of English language.
The course is designed for a joined class of third year sociology students from Utrecht. The language of the instruction and presentations is English, but assignments can be written in Dutch or English.
|
 |
|