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ANU Centre for Social Research Methods · ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences
Quantitative research methods are a core element of the methodological tool kit of researchers in the social sciences. This course provides an introduction to the design of quantitative research projects and the collection of quantitative forms of social research data, and demonstrates how major research questions in social research can be answered using both primary and secondary data collection methods. The course includes four sections: (i) developing research questions and research designs (ii) the design and conduct of social surveys (iii) accessing and evaluating secondary data sources, and (iv) an introduction to quantitative data analysis
Written essay: Research question identification and justification - 1000 words
Learning outcomes 1, 5
Written report 1: Survey research methodology and questionnaire design - 3000 words
Learning outcomes 2
Written report 2: Evaluation and quantitative data analysis of secondary data - 2000 words
Learning outcomes 3, 4
130 hours of total student learning time made up from: a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 24 hours of lectures and 12 hours of tutorials; and b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
de Vaus, D. (2013) Surveys in Social Research. Crows Nest: Allen & Unwin Preliminary Reading Babbie, E. (2013) The Practice of Social Research. Belmont, California: Wadsworth Dillman, D. (2007) Internet, Phone, Mail, and Mixed-Mode Surveys: The Tailored Design Method, 4th Edition. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons. ISBN: 978-1-118-45614-9 Weisberg, H. (2005). The Total Survey Error Approach: A Guide to the New Science of Survey Research. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.