Idea Transcript
City University of Hong Kong Information on a Course offered by Department of Applied Social Sciences with effect from Semester A in 2014/2015
Part I Course Title:
Applied Quantitative Research Methods
Course Code:
SS3423
Course Duration:
One Semester
No. of Credit Units:
3
Level:
B3
Medium of Instruction:
English
Medium of Assessment:
English
Prerequisites: (Course Code and Title): Precursors: (Course Code and Title):
Nil SS2027 Social Statistics and Research Methods or its equivalent
Equivalent Courses: (Course Code and Title):
Nil
Exclusive Courses: (Course Code and Title):
Nil
Part II 1.
Course Aims: This course aims to enable students’ to exercise professional skills in conducting quantitative social research. The research process includes such topics as research design, measurement and sampling, and applied research strategies.
2.
Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to: No. 1. 2. 3. 3.
CILOs Differentiate a range of key concepts and methodological approaches in applied quantitative research; Apply and evaluate issues related to quantitative research methods and designs; and Produce an applied quantitative research proposal.
Weighting 20% 35% 45%
Teaching and Learning Activities (TLAs): (Indicative of likely activities and tasks designed to facilitate students’ achievement of the CILOs. Final details will be provided to students in their first week of attendance in this course)
CILO No. CILO 1 CILO 2 CILO 3
TLA1
TLA2
TLA3
√ √ √
√ √ √
√ √ √
Hours / course (if applicable)
TLA1: Lecture Lecture on (1) key concepts and methodological approaches in applied quantitative research, and (2) the fundamental issues in research designs and strategies used in applied settings. TLA2: Group Discussion Group discussion on (1) & (2) above introduced in the lectures. TLA3: Seminar Workshop on (1) the application of quantitative research methods and designs, and (2) proposal writing.
4.
Assessment Tasks/Activities: (Indicative of likely activities and tasks designed to assess how well the students achieve the CILOs. Final details will be provided to students in their first week of attendance in this course)
CILO No. CILO 1-3 CILO 1-3 CILO 1-3
Type of Assessment Tasks/Activities AT1: Workshop Participation & Discussion AT2: Individual Research Proposal AT3: Quiz
Weighting
Remarks
15% 50% 35%
AT1: Workshop Participation & Discussion (15%) Students are required to discuss concepts and theories, their application introduced in the lectures, and progress in proposal writing. They also need to present and comment on their results of discussion orally in the class. The discussion and comments would need to be critical. AT2: Individual Research Proposal (50%) Students are required to write an individual research proposal (2,000 words in the main text, plus references and appendices). The emphasis is on discovery, innovation, and being critical in order to advance social science knowledge for social practice. The proposal needs to adhere to the professional social researcher’s standards. AT3: Quiz (35%) A quiz is to assess the student’s knowledge about the theory and practice of applied social research in an objective way. 5.
Grading of Student Achievement: Refer to Grading of Courses in the Academic Regulations.
Letter Grade A+ A
Grading criteria in relation to CILOs Excellent – demonstrating undeniably correct knowledge and new insights in applied quantitative research methods in a rigorous and practical way.
AB+ B
Good – manifesting good knowledge about applied quantitative research methods taught but without the generation of new insights.
BC+ C
Adequate – displaying merely basic knowledge about applied quantitative research methods taught.
CD F
Marginal – divulging sporadic knowledge of applied quantitative research methods taught. Failure – showing no knowledge about quantitative applied social research taught.
Part III 1.
Keyword Syllabus:
Basic and Applied Research; Philosophical Foundations; Theoretical Framework; Research Designs; Measurement; Sampling; Data Analysis; Research Ethics. 2.
Recommended Reading:
Essential Reading Kalof, Linda. 2008. Essentials of Social Research. Maidenhead, UK: Open University Press. Supplementary Reading Adler, Emily Stier, and Roger Clark. 2011. An Invitation to Social Research: How It’s Done. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Alasuutari, Pertti, Leonard Bickman, and Julia Brannen. 2008. The SAGE Handbook of Social Research Methods. London: SAGE. Babbie, Earl. 2010. The Practice of Social Research. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Babbie, Earl. 2011. The Basics of Social Research. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Bickman, Leonard, and Debra J. Rog. 2009. The SAGE Handbook of Applied Social Research Methods. Los Angeles, CA: SAGE. Blaikie, Norman. 2009. Designing Social Research: The Logic of Anticipation. Cambridge, UK: Polity. Bryman, Alan. 2008. Social Research Methods. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. Churton, Mel, and Anne Brown. 2010. Theory and Method. Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave. Cooper, Harris. 2010. Research Synthesis and Meta-analysis: A Step-by-step Approach. Los Angeles, CA: SAGE. David, Matthew, and Carole D. Sutton. 2011. Social Research: An Introduction. London: SAGE. Gomm, Roger. 2008. Social Research Methodology: A Critical Introduction. Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave. Greener, Ian. 2011. Designing Social Research: A Guide for the Bewildered. London: SAGE. Henn, Matt, Mark Weinstein, and Nick Foard. 2009. A Critical Introduction to Social Research. Los Angeles, CA: SAGE. Newman, Lawrence. 2011. Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. Ragin, Charles C., and Lisa M. Amoroso. 2011. Constructing Social Research: The Unity and Diversity of Methods. Los Angeles, CA: SAGE. Robson, Colin. 2011. Real World Research: A Resource for Users of Social Research Methods in Applied Settings. Chichester, UK: Wiley. Singleton, Royce A., Jr., and Bruce C. Straits. 2010. Approaches to Social Research. New York: Oxford University Press. Williams, Malcolm. 2011. The SAGE Handbook of Innovation in Social Research Methods. London: SAGE.