Last modified: 01 Oct 2025 16:16
This course equips students and professionals with expertise to undertake quantitative methods in social research. You will become proficient in quantitative methodology, from designing a research project, to sampling, collecting data, and data analysis. Teaching materials include online video lectures, discussion boards, specially selected readings and supplementary content.
| Study Type | Postgraduate | Level | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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Quantitative methods are central to social research. This bespoke online course provides students with knowledge and skills to undertake effective quantitative research, from project design to data collection and data analysis. You will learn how to carry out the main steps of quantitative research from crafting a hypothesis to sampling, collecting data, analysing data, and writing up your findings. You will also explore the ethics of undertaking quantitative research in different settings. Teaching materials include online video lectures, discussion boards, specially selected readings and a range of supplementary content informed by the diverse experiences of social scientists at the University of Aberdeen. All students will have an online portfolio space to develop their work and communicate with other course participants, while a dedicated course tutor will provide individual guidance and feedback.
The course will allow you to demonstrate your new skills through two assignments which provide the opportunity to design a quantitative research project and to reflect on the experience of applying data collection methods and analysis.
By the end of the course, you will:
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
1,000-word Project Plan - design a Social Science Quantitative Research Proposal. Feedback to be provided via MyAberdeen and within three weeks of assessment date. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Create | Design a quantitative research project. |
| Conceptual | Understand | Describe the merits and challenges of quantitative research in social science. |
| Procedural | Apply | Demonstrate skills in quantitative data collection methods. |
| Reflection | Understand | Acknowledge ethical considerations of quantitative research. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
1,000 word Reflective Report on application of research methods and data analysis. Feedback via MyAberdeen within 3 weeks of assessment date. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Create | Design a quantitative research project. |
| Procedural | Analyse | Analyse quantitative data. |
| Procedural | Apply | Demonstrate skills in quantitative data collection methods. |
| Reflection | Understand | Acknowledge ethical considerations of quantitative research. |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 24 | Feedback Weeks | 27 | |
| Feedback |
2,000-word Resit Essay. Feedback via MyAberdeen within three weeks of submission date. |
Word Count | 2000 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Procedural | Apply | Demonstrate skills in quantitative data collection methods. |
| Conceptual | Create | Design a quantitative research project. |
| Reflection | Understand | Acknowledge ethical considerations of quantitative research. |
| Conceptual | Understand | Describe the merits and challenges of quantitative research in social science. |
| Procedural | Analyse | Analyse quantitative data. |
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