Quantitative Methods in Social Sciences

The course introduces to the methodological principles of quantitative social research. It focuses on the role of theory in quantitative social research, introduces to major quantitative methods (i.e., survey, classical and quasi experiment, quantitative content analysis) and data collection modes, main principles of questionnaire construction and its administration, sampling strategies and conduct of research ethics guidelines. During the course students are expected to develop and to conduct in groups (or independently) a research project, students are mostly eencouraged to realize fully survey from start (research design) to finish (submitting the report of original research and presenting it).

To acquire knowledge and practical skills how to prepare research design and to conduct a quantitative research project, while trying to measure / study social phenomena (or social problem)

The course introduces to the methodological principles of quantitative social research. It focuses on the role of theory in quantitative social research, introduces to major quantitative methods (i.e., survey, classical and quasi experiment, quantitative content analysis) and data collection modes, main principles of questionnaire construction and its administration, sampling strategies and conduct of research ethics guidelines. During the course students are expected to develop and to conduct in groups (or independently) a research project, students are mostly eencouraged to realize fully survey from start (research design) to finish (submitting the report of original research and presenting it).

1. Relevant topic is chosen, research problem is adequately formulated, the object, aim and goals of the study are properly defined 2. Difference between methodology and method is defined; main principles of quantitative research methodology are described 3. Research hypotheses are properly formulated, conceptual model is adequately developed, the link between theory and research tool is properly demonstrated. 4. Quantitative research and properly designed and conducted, relevant quantitative research methods are chosen 5. Research population is clearly defined, relevant sampling method is chosen 6. Method of administering survey questionnaires is relevantly chosen and substantiated 7. Main principles of a proper and valid research tool are described; instrument of empirical research is relevantly constructed and based on conceptual model 8. Empirical data is properly coded and processed using SPSS 9. Univariate and bivariate data analysis is properly conducted 10. Main principles of social research ethics and their application in social research are described 11. Actual social problem is chosen and explored by applying quantitative methods of social research 12. Research report is properly prepared