Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2018 - SA 257 J100

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

Class Number: 1840

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Fri, 5:30–9:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Prerequisites:

    Pre and/or co-requisite SA 255.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Takes the mystery, but not the magic, out of quantitative research in anthropology and sociology by introducing analytical skills necessary for reading, understanding, and critiquing quantitative research. Students evaluate popular coverage of social research; learn concepts related to statistical significance; conduct basic statistical analysis, including designing graphs and tables. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course introduces students to the scientific approach to sociological and antropological studies. Weekly classes and tutorials are geared toward helping the students gain a basic understanding of systematic inquiry. In the lectures, students learn about the fundamentals of quantitative research, and accustom to strategies for data analysis, hypothesis testing and statistical inference. Each lecture is followed by a lab tutorial, where students put their knowledge to practice, and perform tasks that revolve around visualizing data, and conducting statistical analyses.

Grading

  • Homework (10 x 5%) 50%
  • Midterm exam 20%
  • Final exam (take home) 20%
  • Participation 10%

NOTES:

Grading: Where a final exam is scheduled and you do not write the exam or withdraw from the course before 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.

REQUIREMENTS:

There will be a two-hour seminar each week, followed by a two-hour tutorial. Attendance on both sessions is mandatory. Tutorials start on week one.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Noack, A. (2018). Social statistics in action: A Canadian introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
ISBN: 978-0199015214

Pallant, J. (2016). SPSS Survival Manual (6th ed.). Maidenhead, UK: Open University Press.
ISBN: 978-0335261543

Additional readings available on Canvas.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Bryman, A., & Bell, E. (2016). Social research methods (4th Canadian ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
ISBN: 978-0199009787

Madrigal, L. (2012). Statistics for anthropology (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
ISBN: 978-0521147088

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