Advanced Quantitative Methods

In order to conduct and evaluate research, you must be able to draw upon a variety of quantitative research methods and assess their relevance and their advantages and disadvantages in answering a particular research question.  You should also be able to assess the appropriateness of various statistical techniques and be able to use them and interpret the results. The aim of this module is to provide you with a critical understanding of a range of quantitative research methods and advanced statistical techniques used for each type of research design, how statistical tests are performed and analysed using SPSS and how they are interpreted.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to critically evaluate the appropriateness of a range of quantitative research methods used in your area of discipline and demonstrate competence in selecting, conducting and interpreting a range of statistical techniques using appropriate computer software for statistical analysis (SPSS).

Topics covered include:

• Quantitative research design, including survey and experimental methods
• Data organisation and management
• Questionnaire design and psychometric scale development
• Reliability and validity of psychometric scales
• Univariate and multivariate analysis
• Regression techniques including hierarchical regression, logistic regression and path analysis
• Factor analysis.