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 ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
14 136 0

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

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities14 hours7 weekly two-hour sessions (including introductory session).
Guided independent study66Reading, thinking and preparing for weekly sessions
Guided independent study10Web-based learning
Web-based learning60Preparation 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 assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Performance in sessionsWeekly1-11Verbal 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.

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
3 practical assignments (written), with exercises focusing on data analysis, visualization and interpretation 75500 words each (25% each)1-11Written feedback
Final assignment (written): Essay discussing how to use the tools and techniques covered during the module to address a relevant research question251,500 words1-11Written 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 assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
3 practical assignments (written), with exercises focusing on data analysis, visualization and interpretation3 practical assignments (written), with exercises focusing on data analysis, visualization and interpretation1-11August/September reassessment period
Written assignment discussing how to use the tools and techniques covered during the module to address a relevant research questionFinal assignment (1,500 words)1-11August/September reassessment period