Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2021 - SA 355 OL01

Quantitative Methods (S) (4)

Class Number: 5557

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Online

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Feb 26, 2021
    Fri, 7:00–10:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    SA 255 and SA 257.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examines the methods, concepts and statistical procedures central to quantitative sociological research. Emphasizing the meaningful application of statistical analysis to social issues, the course provides intermediate quantitative research skills. Students use statistics software to conduct applicable statistical analyses and interpret results. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

In this course, you finally get to focus on quantitative research methodology and play with statistics! You have taken many courses about what sociologists have found out as they’ve done empirical research. You’ve learned some basics about research design, and some of the principles and thinking behind statistics. This is the course where you get to focus on how to do quantitative research well, and try out quantitative analysis for yourself. Of course, using statistics in social research is not only fun. It’s also interesting, important, and requires some specific ways of thinking about analysis. This is what you will learn in SA 355.

This course teaches 1) basics of quantitative research design, including 2) major measurement issues, 3) a review of what to describe about numerical data, why and how, 4) how to decide which of the major statistical tests to use when evaluating hypotheses, 5) how to conduct those tests using the SPSS program, and how to interpret the results, and finally 6) how to present your findings to others.

You will work with a partner to develop research questions and conduct statistical analysis of existing data to find out the answers. This focuses on understanding social science statistical analysis, using statistical tests, and presenting statistical results. For the most part, we will not talk about the math behind the tests. Still, by the end, this course will have taught you more than many practicing scientists know (but not more than they should know!) about how, when and why to use statistical tests. At the end, you will participate in an online research colloquium: you will present your research in a video presentation, what others’ videos, and ask and answer questions about your projects.

Grading

  • Data analysis project 55%
  • Midterm exam 30%
  • Online discussions 15%

NOTES:

Grading: Where a final exam is scheduled and the student does not write the exam or withdraw from the course before the deadline date, an N grade will be assigned. Unless otherwise specified on the course syllabus, all graded assignments for this course must be completed for a final grade other than N to be assigned. An N is considered as an F for the purposes of scholastic standing.

Grading System: The Undergraduate Course Grading System is as follows:

A+ (95-100) | A (90-94) | A- (85-89) | B+ (80-84) | B (75-79) | B- (70-74) | C+ (65-69) | C (60-64) | C- (55-59) | D (50-54) | F (0-49) | N*
*N standing to indicate the student did not complete course requirements

Academic Dishonesty and Misconduct Policy: The Department of Sociology & 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.

Centre for Accessible Learning: Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need classroom or exam accommodations are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (1250 Maggie Benston Centre) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Recommended: IBM SPSS Statistics software program (Base GradPack for Mac/Windows)

REQUIRED READING:

All readings will be available through Canvas, the SFU Library, or otherwise online as noted.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/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

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).