Module outline

The module introduces data analysis to students with some experience of research methods, but little (or no) experience of quantitative methods. The course is developed so as to best emphasise the methods that are most relevant for those social science and humanities students for whom traditional courses in quantitative methods would be too advanced or inappropriately targeted, including because of limited existing knowledge of maths and statistics.

Students are first introduced to the methods and concepts that are most similar to qualitative approaches (e.g., categorical data) in order to make the learning curve less steep, as well as to highlight the usefulness of quantitative data analysis in their field of research. The module, then, progresses all the way through to multiple regression, with emphasis throughout on formulating hypotheses clearly, selecting appropriate ways to test these hypotheses, and interpreting the statistical and substantive significance of results. 

The practical goal of the module is to help students analyse data for their dissertations. As a result, the focus is on developing practical analysis skills, rather than focusing on the more abstract mathematical principles underlying statistical analysis. Weekly computer lab sessions introduce students to the basic tools of the programme “Stata”, which is used for the analysis of quantitative data. 

Finally, this module does not focus on collecting data, but, rather, on understanding and analysing data in publicly available datasets.

By the end of the module, students will be able to:

understand the potential – and limitations – of quantitative data analysis in their field of research;
	read and critically engage with academic studies employing quantitative methods;
	choose techniques of basic data analysis for their own research, including in a way that best complements the use of qualitative methods;
	choose and efficiently use basic data visualisation techniques (charts and tables); and
	draw on skills developed on the module to carry out basic data analysis in Stata.