Module POLM809 for 2017/8
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Postgraduate Module Descriptor
POLM809: Applied Quantitative Data Analysis
This module descriptor refers to the 2017/8 academic year.
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 topics:
Topic 1: Introduction: why use quantitative data and
Topic 2: Inferential statistics, a primer
Topic 3: Collecting data, sampling, data management and data integrity
Topic 4: Describing data and dealing with missing data
Topic 5: Writing up the results
Topic 6: Testing relationships between variables
Topic 7: Visual displays of data
Topic 8: Multivariate statistics
Topic 9: Ordinal and binomial data Topic 10: Advanced techniques Topic 11: Student Presentations
The module will be taught through 7 weekly two-hour sessions (including introductory session). There will be a mix of formal lecture led by the co-ordinator, practical experience, student presentations and student discussion. The emphasis is on active seminar participation, practical experience and the development of techniques and tools with regard to assessed work. The techniques will be explored through appropriate practical work and independent study.
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 |
---|---|---|
14 | 136 | 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 Activities | 14 hours | 7 weekly two-hour sessions (including introductory session). |
Guided independent study | 66 | Reading, thinking and preparing for weekly sessions |
Guided independent study | 10 | Web-based learning |
Web-based learning | 60 | Preparation and completion of assessments |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
How this Module is Assessed
In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.
Formative Assessment
A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|
Performance in sessions | Weekly | 1-11 | Verbal Feedback |
Summative Assessment
A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
---|---|---|
100 | 0 | 0 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|---|
3 practical assignments (written), with exercises focusing on data analysis, visualization and interpretation | 75 | 500 words each (25% each) | 1-11 | Written feedback |
Final assignment (written): Essay discussing how to use the tools and techniques covered during the module to address a relevant research question | 25 | 1,500 words | 1-11 | Written feedback |
0 | ||||
0 | ||||
0 | ||||
0 |
Re-assessment
Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.
Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
---|---|---|---|
3 practical assignments (written), with exercises focusing on data analysis, visualization and interpretation | 3 practical assignments (written), with exercises focusing on data analysis, visualization and interpretation | 1-11 | August/September reassessment period |
Written assignment discussing how to use the tools and techniques covered during the module to address a relevant research question | Final assignment (1,500 words) | 1-11 | August/September reassessment period |