Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2016 - SA 257 D100

Understanding Quantitative Research in Sociology and Anthropology (SA) (4)

Class Number: 8579

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 6 – Dec 5, 2016: Thu, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 14, 2016
    Wed, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Pre and/or co-requisite SA 255.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduces analytical skills necessary to understand and evaluate quantitative research in sociology and anthropology. Reading, interpreting, and critiquing studies using statistical tests common to both fields; evaluating popular coverage of social research. Measures of central tendency, distribution and dispersion; statistical significance. Working with quantitative data and designing graphs and tables. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

We are presented with numerical information about the social world every day. We might read that 34% of Canadians support one political candidate, or that women tend to marry for the first time at age 30 while men marry at age 32. Where does this information come from and what does it really tell us? The goal of this course is to take the mystery out of quantitative research and numbers. It will provide an introduction to thinking about, reading, understanding, evaluating and presenting quantitative approaches to anthropological and sociological topics.

We will discuss basic issues such as: What does it mean to measure things like abstract and moral attitudes, experiences or historical processes with numbers? What does this quantification allow us to do, and what are its limits? We will explore fundamental principles that form the basis of statistical analysis. What does it mean to say a group has an “average height”? What is statistical inference, and what are the concepts that its claims are based on? We will also read and compare newsmedia descriptions of studies with original study reports, interpret different types of tables and graphs, and identify questions we should ask about each of these. You will also present findings yourself. Using existing data, you will write about quantitative findings and use the SPSS program to describe them using clear and appropriate tables and graphs.

Grading

  • Reading Evaluations 15%
  • Comparing Coverage 30%
  • Data Description I & II 20%
  • In-class Exercises 15%
  • Final Exam 20%

NOTES:

For this course you will need to read and consider material before the day it’s assigned for, attend lectures and tutorials, participate in class discussion, complete in-class exercises that build on readings and in-class material, and takes notes as you watch audio-visual materials. Readings and class time will complement rather than replicate each other, and you will be expected to draw on both as you complete exams, assignments and exercises.

REQUIREMENTS:

If you do not write the final exam or withdraw from the course after the deadline date, you will be assigned an N grade. Unless otherwise specified on the course outline, all other graded assignments in this course must be completed for a final grade other than N to be assigned.

Academic Dishonesty and Misconduct Policy:
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T 20.01) and academic dishonesty and misconduct procedures (S10.01- S10.04). Unless otherwise informed by your instructor in writing, in graded written assignments you must cite the sources you rely on and include a bibliography/list of references, following an instructor-approved citation style. It is the responsibility of students to inform themselves of the content of SFU policies available on the SFU website: http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student.html.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

William W. Dressler. 2015. The 5 Things You Need to Know about Statistics: Quantification in Ethnographic Research. Walnut, CA: Left Coast.

Readings posted to Canvas.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS