Fall 2025 - SA 257 D100

Demystifying Quantitative Research: Critical Perspectives from Sociology and Anthropology (SA) (4)

Class Number: 4892

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Suzanna Crage
    scrage@sfu.ca
    Office Hours: TBA via Online and in-person
  • Prerequisites:

    SA 101 or 150.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Quantitative research and statistics: objective, authoritative, intimidating! Or not? We examine how statistical claims are perceived and used, in science and society, and deconstruct their foundations. Students practice analytical skills necessary for understanding and critiquing quantitative research by reading studies, evaluating popular science coverage, and communicating results from statistical analyses. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

We are presented with numerical information about the social world every day. "Crime in rural Canadian communities is 34 percent higher than in urban areas."1 "Respect for Indigenous cultures is 10 per cent higher among racialized Canadians than among non-racialized, non-Indigenous Canadians."2 Where do these claims come from, and what do they actually tell us?

Statistics like these don't just exist. They are social products — claims about reality. In order tounderst and them, we need to consider not just how they are produced and presented, but also why they are used and how they are perceived. What roles do numbers have in society, and what roles should they have? What does it mean to use numbers to measure abstract attitudes and experiences? What are the powers and limits of numbers as measures? We draw on overlapping research and theory from Sociology, Anthropology, and History and Philosophy of Science to understand social and cultural factors that shape the power of quantitative research.

We do also need to understand some things about how quantitative results are produced and presented: their analytical power. We will delve into the fundamental principles that form the foundations of most statistics. Why does “average height” matter (or not)? What is statistical inference, and what are the concepts that its claims are based on? After this, we will explore longstanding disagreements and newer ideas about how to analyze data. As the term goes on, you will also get the behind-the-scenes perspective that comes from practicing a craft: you will learn to interpret different types of tables and graphs, and you will analyze quantitative data to answer a question you choose.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

This course will teach you how to…

-Think critically about numbers and graphs that make claims about the world.
-Consider relationships between quantitative measures and the concepts they represent.
-Understand the goals and reasoning behind descriptive and inferential statistics.
-Read and interpret statistical reports.
-Construct a quantitative research question that can be addressed using available data.
-Analyze data with descriptive statistics using SPSS; present findings clearly and appropriately.

Grading

  • Data Analysis Project (three assignments) 36%
  • Understanding Research (three assigments) 24%
  • Exams (Midterm and cumulative Final) 40%
  • You will need to read and consider material before the day it is assigned, attend lectures and tutorials, participate in class discussion, and complete exercises that build on readings and inclass material. 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.

NOTES:

Grading: Both exams and all graded assignments in this course must be completed for a final grade other than N to be assigned. If you do not complete these, and do not withdraw from the course before the withdrawal deadline, you will be assigned an N grade, which is 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 Honesty and Student Conduct Policies: The Department of Sociology & Anthropology follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T20.01), and academic honesty and student conduct procedures (S10‐S10.05). 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.

The Sociology and Anthropology Student Union, SASU, is a governing body of students who are engaged with the department and want to build the SA community. Get involved!  Follow Facebook and Instagram pages or visit our website.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Readings and other materials posted to Canvas.

RECOMMENDED READING:

  • IBM SPSS Statistics software program. (Base GradPack for Mac/Windows, see SFU software)
  • William W. Dressler. 2015. The 5 Things You Need to Know about Statistics: Quantification in Ethnographic Research. Walnut, CA: Left Coast.. Available to buy, and electronic acccess is available through the library.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.