2016-1-SOCY802-001 SELECTED TOPICS IN ADVANCED RESEARCH METHODS

Course Description: This course aims to strengthen students’ knowledge to understand and their abilities to conduct research projects in criminological and sociological studies. This course will teach students advanced research methodologies and data analysis skills. The research methods component will include different research designs in both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The statistical component will include inferential statistics, analysis of categorical and continuous data, regression, repeated measures, generalized estimating equation, and cluster analysis as well as tutorial activities with hands-on experience analyzing data using SPSS software.

Credits: 3 credits

Learning Outcomes: 1) understand different research designs in both qualitative and quantitative methods; and 2) understand statistical issues in the planning and analysis of research projects.

Modes of Teaching and Learning:

• Lectures

• Tutorial discussions / selected readings

• Use of SPSS software to analyze criminological and sociological data.

Workload hours per week: Lecture: 2 hrs; Tutorial: 1 hr

Proposed Teaching Time: AY2016/17 Semester 1 – Every Wednesday from 09:30-12:30.

Number of students intake: Not more than 12 students.

Assessment:

Group assignment (40%): data will be provided by the lecturer and students are required to address the research questions by analyzing the data and write a summary report on their findings. Assignment will be distributed on week 4 and hand-in on week 8. Assignment will cover topics from week 1 to week 7.

Examination (60%): a 3 hours examination that will take place in the computing room, where each student will be provided a PC with SPSS software installed. Examination questions will include multiple choice questions and short answer questions.

Recommended Readings:

Chava F-N, & Anna L-G. (2015) Social Statistics for a Diverse Society. 7th (eds). SAGE Publications Inc. U.S.A.

Daniel WW & Cross CL (2013) Biostatistics: A Foundation for Analysis in the Health Sciences / 10th (eds). Wiley Series in Prob. and Statistics.

Hagan, F.E. (2006) Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology. 7th (eds). Allyn & Bacon, Pearson Education, Inc. U.S.A.

Plichta, S.B. & Kelvin, E. (2013) Munro’s Statistical Methods for Health Care Research. 6th (Eds) Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Philadelphia PA, USA.