Excel

Course title	Quantitative Research Methods
Course code	SociM007
Credit points (ECTS)	6
Total Hours in Course	162
Number of hours for lectures	24
Number of hours for seminars and practical classes	24
Number of hours for laboratory classes	0
Independent study hours	114
Date of course confirmation	12/03/2025
Responsible Unit	Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities
Course developers
Mg. sc. soc., lekt. Lana Janmere
Prior knowledge
FilzM001, Philosophy and Methodology of Science SociM003, Qualitative Research Methods
Course abstract
The aim of the study course is to provide theoretical knowledge and increase students’ competence in planning and implementing social research, in which quantitative research methods are used. The study course provides knowledge and skills in planning, implementing quantitative social research, processing and analysing quantitative data, which are necessary for future professional activities in public administration, research organizations and any private sector organization, where the specifics of the work are related to the study of social problems, human behaviour and opinions and their quantitative measurement. Students learn the most important methods in the quantitative research approach both theoretically and practically, gain an idea of quantitative data collection, analysis, the meaning of data-based conclusions, their drawing and interpretation, which allows testing existing and developing new knowledge in sociological theory. The practical classes of the study course are focused on the application of quantitative research methods, students learn the most important descriptive and inferential statistical methods and their application in various quantitative research designs, in which a survey is used as a data collection method. The course of study promotes the development of critical thinking and personal competencies.
Learning outcomes and their assessment
Knowledge: in-depth knowledge and understanding of the nature of quantitative research, the most important methods of collecting quantitative data, the basic principles of developing a research methodology, the specifics of quantitative data processing and analysis in various quantitative research designs, as well as the most appropriate statistical processing methods for survey data – practical work, independent work, exam. Professional skills: demonstrates the ability to independently develop research tools for collecting quantitative data and assess their validity, correctly apply selected research methods, independently create a quantitative research database and verify it, as well as compile survey data, obtain primary results and display them graphically, measure the strength of correlations in survey data, determine their statistical significance and compare group average trends – independent work, practical work. Soft skills: able to responsibly plan and complete assigned tasks, collaborate, engage in discussion and defend their opinion reasonably, critically evaluate the information obtained and draw conclusions based on data – independent work, practical work, discussions, exam. Competence: demonstrates competence to develop a quantitative research program in accordance with the selected social problem, independently plans and implements quantitative data processing, analysis and drawing conclusions, is able to solve non-standard situations in the field of organization and public administration using quantitative research methodology techniques – independent work, exam.
Course Content(Calendar)
Full-time studies Lecture content (24 hours): 1.Quantitative approach in social research, types of quantitative research. Elements of the research program, the role of the hypothesis in quantitative research (2 hours). 2.Determination and measurement of variables, levels of measurement (2 hour). 3.Data collection method in quantitative research – survey (3 hours). 4.Data collection method in quantitative research – content analysis (2 hours). 5.Data collection method in quantitative research – observation (2 hours). 6.Determination of the general population and sample formation in quantitative research. Assessment of data reliability in quantitative research (1 hour). 7.Review of the most popular computer programs used for processing quantitative data in social sciences. Preparation of a data matrix for work in IBM SPSS or similar alternatives (2 hour). 8.Design of a descriptive study. Obtaining primary results for characterizing social trends in sociological research and interpretation in a descriptive study (2 hour). 9.Design of a correlation study. Indicators for measuring the closeness of data relationships, their use in the study of various social problems (2 hours). 10.Determining statistical significance for discovered relationships in data (2 hours). 11.Evaluating group differences and comparing average trends (2 hours). 12.Quasi-experimental research design. Defining independent and dependent variables, determining their mutual influence using simple linear regression analysis (2 hours). Content of practical assignments (24 hours): 1.Preparation of a research program. Conceptualization and operationalization. Definition of aims, tasks, hypotheses (4 hours). 2.Quantitative content analysis (3 hours). 3.Compilation of a survey questionnaire (5 hours). 4.Preparation of the research base in a computer program, entry and verification of survey data (4 hours). 5.Obtaining primary results, their interpretation and reflection in graphical solutions (4 hours). 6.Measuring the strength of data relationships, determining statistical significance, and comparing average trends. Interpreting the results (4 hours). Part-time distance learning: All topics specified for full-time studies are covered, but the number of contact hours is reduced to half of the number specified for full-time studies.
Requirements for awarding credit points
Master’s students must complete one independent work and three practical assignments. If all practical assignments have been completed and a successful assessment has been obtained, students present their independent work during the exam at the end of the course. The study process in part-time distance learning is organised in accordance with Order of the Vice-Rector for Studies No. 2.4-8/54 on distance learning procedures at LBTU. Study courses are scheduled for each semester according to the study plan. Students acquire the topics covered in each course independently, using the materials prepared and uploaded by the lecturer in the e-studies environment (Moodle). Feedback on the learning of lecture and seminar topics is provided through self-assessment tests, discussion forums, and individual tasks, as well as during face-to-face or online consultations, lectures, and final examinations, according to the timetable.
Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work
As an independent work, students develop a quantitative research program on a public administration problem of their choice, an appropriate data collection tool, and a data processing plan. This is presented in an exam at the end of the course.
Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes
Exam. Its assessment consists: practical work 1 (10%), practical work 2 (10%), practical work 3 (10%), independent work (30%), exam (40%).
Compulsory reading
1.Adams, J., Raeside, R. Khan, H. T. A. (2014) Research Methods for Business and Social Science Students. Second edition. eBook. New Delhi: Sage Publications Pvt. Ltd., 304 p. Pieejama: EBSCO eBook Academic Collection LBTU Fundamentālās bibliotēkas tīklā. http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.llu.lv/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xww&AN=784882&site=ehost-live&scope=site. 2.Bourke, J., Kirby, A., Doran, J. (2016) Survey & questionnaire design: Collecting Primary Data to Answer Research Questions: eBook. Ireland: NuBooks, 47 p. Pieejama: EBSCO eBook Academic Collection LBTU Fundamentālās bibliotēkas tīklā. http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.llu.lv/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xww&AN=1460401&site=ehost-live&scope=site 3.Manly, F. J. B., Navarro Alberto, J.A. (2016) Multivariate Statistical Methods: A Primer. Fourth Edition, 269 p. Pieejama kā e-grāmata ESAF Informācijas kabinetā. 4.Elst van H. (2019) Foundations of Descriptive and Inferential Statistics. Germany, p. 176. Tiešsaistē pieejama https://arxiv.org/pdf/1302.2525.pdf. 5.Jansons, V., Kozlovskis, K. (2015). Mārketinga pētījumi: teorija un prakse SPSS 20 vidē. 1. daļa. Rīga, RTU izdevniecība, 400 lpp. Tiešsaistē pieejama https://dom.lndb.lv/data/obj/841728.html. 6.Miller, J. (2022) Making Sense of Numbers: Quantitative Reasoning for Social Research. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications Inc, 2022, 569 p. ISBN: 978-1-5443-5559-7. 7.Neuman W.L. Social research methods. Qualitative and Quantitative approaches: Seventh edition. Harlow, United Kingdom: Pearson Education Limited, 2014. 599 p. Tiešsaistē pieejama: http://letrunghieutvu.yolasite.com/resources/w-lawrence-neuman-social-research-methods_-qualitative-and-quantitative-approaches-pearson-education-limited-2013.pdf.
Further reading
1.Data Science & Big Data Analytics: Discovering, Analyzing, Visualizing and Presenting Data (2015). Indianapolis: John Willey & Sons, 410 p. ISBN: 978-1-118-87613-8 2.Krippendorff, K. (2018) Content Analysis. An Introduction to Its Methodology. Fourth edition. SAGE Publications, 472 p. 3.Jansons V., Kozlovskis K. (2016). Mārketinga pētījumi: teorija un prakse SPSS 20 vidē. 2. daļa. Rīga, RTU izdevniecība, 326 lpp. Tiešsaistē pieejama https://dom.lndb.lv/data/obj/841729.html. 4.Jansons V., Kozlovskis K. (2018). Mārketinga pētījumi: teorija un prakse SPSS 20 vidē. 3. daļa. Rīga, RTU izdevniecība, 290 lpp. Tiešsaistē pieejama https://dom.lndb.lv/data/obj/841730.html.
Periodicals and other sources
1.Eiropas Savienības statistikas pārvaldes Eurostat datubāzes. Pieejams: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/main/home. 2.Eiropas vērtību pētījuma datubāzes (European Values Study). Pieejams: https://europeanvaluesstudy.eu/. 3.International Journal of Social Research Methodology. Pieejams: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tsrm20.
Notes
Compulsory study course in the ESAF academic master’s study programme “Sociology of Organizations and Public Administration”.