Undergraduate Module Descriptor

SSI1005: Introduction to Social Data

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

The aim of this module is to introduce you to quantitative research design,data collection and basic data analysis. More specifically, it uses data sets and research examples drawn from existing social science research to illustrate core concepts and methods in quantitative research. By introducing you to methods such as experiments and surveys, and the type of social science research that can be produced using these, this module lays the foundation for understanding quantitative methods and for your own experience in conducting quantitative studies.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills	1. demonstrate basic knowledge of quantitative research design, data collection and some awareness of analytic techniques; 2. demonstrate basic understanding of what makes some quantitative research good and some bad quality (quality criterion);
Discipline-Specific Skills	3. demonstrate an understanding of quantitative research design in the social sciences at an introductory level; 4. create a relevant social science research question and hypothesis;
Personal and Key Skills	5. present quantitative data effectively and clearly; and 6. demonstrate numeracy skills which will be desirable to employers.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following themes:

• Introduction: What is quantitative research?

• Populations and samples

• Social surveys

• Correlation and causation

• Experiments in the social science

• Measurement. Reliability and validity in social science research

• Basic descriptive statistics and data analysis

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
28.5	121.5	0

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity	16.5	11 X 1.5 hour lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activity	12	6 x 2 hour seminars
Guided independent study	33	course readings
Guided independent study	60	Reading for the take home exam
Guided independent study	28.5	Preparation for the test

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).