scholarly journals Engaging Social Science Students with Statistics: Opportunities, Challenges and Barriers

Numeracy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Brookfield ◽  
Malcolm Williams ◽  
Luke Sloan ◽  
Emily Maule
Keyword(s):  
Social Science ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Science Students ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Quantitative Approaches

In 2012, in a bid to improve the quantitative methods training of social science students in the UK, the £19.5 million Q-Step project was launched. This investment demonstrated a significant commitment to changing how we train social science students in quantitative research methods in the UK. The project has involved eighteen higher education institutions exploring and trialling potential ways of engaging social science students with quantitative approaches. This paper reflects on the activities of one Q-Step centre based in the School of Social Sciences at Cardiff University. As well as describing some of the pedagogic changes that have been implemented, the paper draws on data to begin to evaluate the success of new approaches. Specifically, data showing the proportion of students undertaking a quantitative final-year dissertation project is used to measure the impact of these activities. The data presented in this paper suggest that resistance to learning quantitative research methods and engaging with such techniques has decreased. The data also indicates that students see this learning as beneficial for their own employability. Despite this, closer analysis reveals that several students change their mind about employing quantitative methods in their own research part way through their dissertation journey. We argue that while social science students are comfortable learning about quantitative approaches, they are less confident at applying these techniques. Thus, the paper argues that there is a wider challenge of demonstrating the relevance and appropriateness of such approaches to understanding the social world.

Teaching quantitative research methods: the employability factor

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 10-19
Author(s):  
Charlotte Brookfield
Keyword(s):  
Research Methods ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
First Year ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
Strategic Approach ◽  
Quantitative Skills ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Degree Level ◽  
British Sociology

Various initiatives have been launched to encourage sociology students studying in the UK to engage more with quantitative research methods (for example: Dale et al., 2008; Adney and Carey, 2009; Falkingham et al., 2009), however, their success has been limited. Embedding quantitative methods in substantive sociology curricula has been suggested as one way to reduce students’ anxieties about learning quantitative research methods (Williams et al., 2015). This approach has been employed at Cardiff University’s School of Social Sciences, where quantitative skills have been strategically incorporated into various aspects of a first year undergraduate substantive module. This paper will reflect on the experience of teaching on this module. The paper will conclude that while the introduction of quantitative content into substantive modules indicates support for change, embedding alone cannot be viewed as a single solution to encouraging to students’ to learn about or utilise quantitative research methods. Two possible reasons for this will be suggested. Firstly, it will be argued that the majority of students no longer pursue sociology at degree level in order to gain the skills to become a competent social researcher, but rather see sociology as a discipline that will equip them with transferable and desirable skills for many occupations. Consequently, engagement with quantitative research methods is not essential to students’ strategic approach to learning as it was for previous generations who wished to understand how to study their social world. Secondly, it will be suggested that the deficit of quantitative methods in mainstream British sociology journals and the methodological preferences of practicing sociologists leads to speculation over the available staff who are capable of delivering an integrated curriculum with quantitative methods embedded in substantive modules.

OPTIMALISASI MODEL EFISIENSI ENERGI DAN BIAYA TERHADAP TINGKAT PENDAPATAN DENGAN CLUSTERISASI NELAYAN TANGKAP DI PROVINSI JAMBI

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Tona Aurora Lubis ◽  
Zulkifli Zulkifli ◽  
Muhammad Safri
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Income Level ◽  
First Year ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
Performance Capture ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Variable Energy

This research is important and interesting, especially for Jambi province since studies first year will be able to classify the fishermen catch with the system clusterisasi, able to identify and analyze the impact of energy efficiency and cost to the level of income of fishermen fishing, formulate a model of the development of energy efficiency and cost against income level with clusterisasi fishermen catch, as well as the first study of formulating a development model of energy efficiency and cost to the level of income by fishermen catch clusterisasi This study uses a combination of research methods (mixed method), which is a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods. The type of research used is a combination of Exploratory Sequential Design, which is in the early stages of research using qualitative methods and the next phase using quantitative methods. The conclusion of this study is clusterisasi fishermen in Jambi Province can be classified into three categories: full of fishermen, and fishermen main sideline, as well as additional odd fisherman. The impact of energy efficiency and cost to the level of fishing income generating variable Energy Efficiency and Cost (EEB) to four (4) indicators reflective namely: the type of vessel (JK), speed boat (KK), operation of a ship (OK), the pattern of arrests (PP) and variable Fishermen performance Capture (KNT) with (a) a reflective indicator is the level of income (TP). A model of energy efficiency and cost against pendatan with clusterisasi fishermen fishing in the province of Jambi is that energy efficiency and cost (EEB) which is reflected by speed boat (KK) and ship operations (OK) has a significant influence on the performance of the fishermen catch (KNT) reflected income level (TP). This study is important and interesting in order to get funding for this research study second year (2017), so it can answer Fator factors internal and external that affect the welfare of fishermen fishing in the province of Jambi.

Article Commentary: Mixed Methods in Visitor Studies Research

2000 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven S. Yalowitz ◽  
Marcella D. Wells
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Visitor Studies ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Research Studies

In visitor studies, there has been some debate about the use of qualitative versus quantitative research methods. Many evaluators understand the advantages and disadvantages of both methods, but deciding on the most appropriate method can still be problematic. This article summarizes the tenets of both qualitative and quantitative methods and provides examples of visitor studies for each. It also reviews several research studies that have successfully used mixed methods to evaluate visitors.

Data as representations: contextualizing qualitative and quantitative research strategies

2000 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaan Valsiner
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Social Science ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Main Issue ◽  
Research Strategies ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
The Social ◽  
New States

The opposition between “quantitative” and “qualitative” perspectives in contemporary social science is an organizational limitation that directs discussions of the topic away from the main issue - the adequacy of any kind of data in respect to the phenomena they represent. This is particularly complicated if the phenomena are known to include inherent dynamics, are modifiable by the research encounter, or develop towards new states of existence. It is often assumed that qualitative and quantitative methods are mutually exclusive alternatives within a methodological process that is itself unified. The article shows that quantitative methods are derivates of a qualitative process of investigation, which itself can lead to the construction of inadequate data. The issue of the representativeness of the data - qualitative or quantitative - remains the central unresolved question for the methodology of the social sciences. Errors in representation can be diminished by correction of methods through direct (experiential) access to the phenomena, guided by the researcher's educated intuition.

scholarly journals INEFISIENSI PENGADAAN TANAH UNTUK KEPENTINGAN UMUM (Studi Kasus Pembangunan Waduk Jatigede di Kabupaten Sumedang)

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-70
Author(s):  
Idah Wahidah
Keyword(s):  
Research Methods ◽  
Organizational Support ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Institutional Commitment ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
The Public ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Descriptive Approach ◽  
The Impact

The construction of the Jatigede Dam for the public interest is imbalanced in its implementation. Based on the results of observations, researchers see a lot of problems that occur, including land acquisition issued a lot of regulations, implementation is quite long, and the costs incurred are quite large. The researcher uses E. Bardach's theory, to determine administrative operability (authority, institutional commitment, capability, organizational support) criteria, to find out the impact of policy researchers using the theory of Thomas R. Dye. Research methods and approaches are carried out with qualitative and quantitative research methods with a descriptive approach. The method of data collection is through observation, semistructured interviews and documentation. The informant selection technique uses purposive techniques and the validity of the data by data triangulation. The results of this study using the administrative operability criteria approach did not meet the criteria optimally

scholarly journals REALISATION OF ETHICS IN THE ACTIVITY OF A SOCIAL WORKER

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Irena Leliūgienė ◽  
Violeta Andrijevska ◽  
Angelė Kaušylienė
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Ethical Standards ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
Social Work Values ◽  
Research Survey ◽  
The Social

The article presents the results of the research in the realisation of ethics in social work activities. Social work is a complex and multifaceted profession in which  practice is based on strong values. Social work values and ethical principles have been a particularly acute and debatable topic since ancient times.  It has always been noticed that social work practical activities raise ethical issues and dilemmas. Ethical problems and their solutions are basic problems in the development of social work as a profession. Due to these reasons, the main goal of this article was set: to reveal how ethics are implemented by social workers in practice. In order to achieve the goal, the following objectives were set: 1.  to explore the concept of ethics and values in social work context. 2.  to analyse how the social worker's ethical standards are being implemented in various fields of activity. 3.  to examine how ethics is realised in practice by the social workers of N District Municipality. In order to achieve the goal and tasks,  the concept of ethics and values in social work was discussed as well as the analysis of social work ethics  was implemented in various branches and spheres of activity. To reveal the topic, the research (survey) was carried out, which was attended by the N District Municipality social workers. Closed-ended questions were analysed by quantitative research methods and open-ended questions were processed by qualitative research methods. The results revealed that social workers of  N District Municipality knew the ethical standards of their profession and implemented them in all the mentioned aspects of ethical codes. Social workers identified five main reasons which cause violations of ethical standards in their practice: apathy of colleagues, heavy workload, lack of offices,  problematic clients and nervous tension at work.

Research Methods in the Social Sciences: An A-Z of key concepts

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Academic Disciplines ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
The Social ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Key Concepts

Research Methods in the Social Sciences features chapters that cover a wide range of concepts, methods, and theories. Each chapter begins with an introduction to a method, using real-world examples from a wide range of academic disciplines, before discussing the benefits and limitations of the approach, its current status in academic practice, and finally providing tips and advice on when and how to apply the method in research. The text covers both well-established concepts and emerging ideas, such as big data and network analysis, for qualitative and quantitative research methods.

The Philosophy of Quantitative Methods

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian D. Haig
Keyword(s):  
Research Methods ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Deep Structure ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Critical Examination ◽  
Bayesian Confirmation Theory ◽  
Statistical Significance Testing ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods

This book is concerned with the conceptual foundations of research methods. In particular, it undertakes a philosophical examination of a number of different quantitative research methods that are prominent in, or relevant for, the conduct of research in the behavioral sciences. By doing so, the deep structure of the methods is examined in order to overcome the shallow and uncritical understanding that is typically provided by textbooks and other instructional sources. The methods submitted to critical examination are important and mostly well known. They are exploratory data analysis, statistical significance testing, Bayesian confirmation theory and statistics, meta-analysis, and exploratory factor analysis. The treatment of the research methods examined is consistent with a philosophy of scientific realism. Theories of scientific method feature prominently in the discussions of the research methods. Each chapter contains a Further Reading section in order to help the reader extend their thinking beyond what the chapters contain.

scholarly journals The impact of capital structure choice on firm’s financial performance: An empirical analysis of delisted firms in Viet Nam

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen Vinh Khuong ◽  
Dinh Thi Thu Thao
Keyword(s):  
Capital Structure ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Viet Nam ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Structure Choice ◽  
Capital Structure Choice

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of capital structure choice on firm’s financial performanceof delisted companies on the stock market. Based on the data collected from 80 companies delisted from Vietnam stock markets (HNX and HOSE) in the period from 2012 to 2015, using quantitative research methods, we find a correlation between the capital structure and the financial performance of the firms. The study results have some implications for investors and managers in making decisions to optimize their financial performance.

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