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Module Catalogue

QS204-15 Intermediate Social Analytics: survey design and data collection

Department
Politics & International Studies
Level
Undergraduate Level 2
Module leader
Jamelia Harris
Credit value
15
Module duration
9 weeks
Assessment
100% coursework
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

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Introductory description

QS204-15 Intermediate Social Analytics: survey design and data collection

Module web page

Module aims

This module helps students develop knowledge and experience of the quantitative research cycle from initial design through to data collection. It is complemented by module QS205 which is designed to enable students to analyse and report on the data collected.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Week 1 – Introduction to the course, learning objectives, assessment and teaching methods. Identifying the substantive topics of interest. Using Scopus and Web of Science for a literature review.
Week 2 – Principles of Survey design: types of questions and measurement scales. Developing a literature review
Week 3 – Principles of Survey design: measuring complex concepts using indices.
Week 4 – Principles of Survey design: target respondents and identification of demographic measures. Formative presentations
Week 5 – Principles of Survey design: survey experiments
Week 6 – Reading week
Week 7 – An introduction to Web-based survey software (Qualtrics) I.
Week 8 – Web-based survey software (Qualtrics) II. Testing the survey questions – trials among fellow students and feedback. Assessment 1 due.
Week 9 – Measuring tricky things using surveys. Launch of survey in Qualtrics and monitoring its impact.
Week 10 – Reflection on learning through the module. Planning for the assessment.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • Students will be able to identify research questions and hypothesis based on review of relevant literature.
  • Students will be able to design a survey instrument to collect quantitative data.
  • Students will be able to implement the design of the survey instrument in web-based data collection software.
  • Students will be able to collaborate on aspects of the survey design and implementation.
Indicative reading list

De Vaus, D (2013). Surveys in Social Research. Oxford: Routledge.
Walliman, N (2005). Your research project: a step-by-step guide for the first-time researcher.
Support and guidance from web-based survey software site.
Relevant literature to be informed by substantive topic (/s) chosen by the students.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Research element

Students are required to devise a research topic and conduct secondary research which informs the data collected in the survey.

Subject specific skills

Survey design skills
Using web software packages - Qualtrics

Transferable skills

Research skills

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 9 sessions of 1 hour (6%)
Seminars 9 sessions of 2 hours (12%)
Private study 123 hours (82%)
Total 150 hours
Private study description

123 Private Study Hours

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group A1
Weighting Study time
Assessed Coursework 30%

Literature review
Assessed Essay 70%

Reflective essay
Feedback on assessment

There will be two formative assessments in week 3 and week 6 with written feedback within 20
working days.

Post-requisite modules

If you pass this module, you can take:

  • QS205-15 Intermediate Social Analytics: survey analysis and reporting

Courses

This module is Core for:

  • Year 2 of UPOA-M162 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and Quantitative Methods

This module is Core optional for:

  • Year 3 of ULAA-ML33 Undergraduate Law and Sociology

This module is Optional for:

  • USOA-L301 BA in Sociology
    • Year 2 of L301 Sociology
    • Year 2 of L301 Sociology
    • Year 2 of L301 Sociology
  • Year 2 of USOA-L314 Undergraduate Sociology and Criminology

This module is Option list A for:

  • ULAA-ML34 BA in Law and Sociology (Qualifying Degree)
    • Year 3 of ML34 Law and Sociology (Qualifying Degree)
    • Year 4 of ML34 Law and Sociology (Qualifying Degree)
  • Year 4 of ULAA-ML33 Undergraduate Law and Sociology
  • Year 3 of UPOA-M168 Undergraduate Politics and International Studies with Chinese

This module is Option list C for:

  • UHIA-VM11 Undergraduate History and Politics
    • Year 2 of VM11 History and Politics
    • Year 2 of VM11 History and Politics
    • Year 2 of VM11 History and Politics

This module is Option list D for:

  • Year 2 of UHIA-VL13 Undergraduate History and Sociology