98815 - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE METHODS

Learning outcomes

This course familiarizes students with the key elements of qualitative and quantitative methodology so that students can reflect upon and choose the best suitable methods and utilize methods for their own independent research. At the end of the course the student: has a basic knowledge of some central themes of the Epistemology of empirical Research; is aware of the main techniques of data collection; knows how to apply logic elements in the preparation of research design and in the interpretation of the results of an investigation; is aware of the characteristics and problems inherent in the operation of the research properties; is able to use basic statistical analysis techniques.

Course contents

There are two paradigms or methodological alternatives to investigate social reality: quantitative and qualitative. Each has its own epistemological foundations, methodological designs, techniques and instruments in accordance with the nature of the objects of study, the social situations and the questions posed with the purpose of explaining, understanding or transforming social reality.

Although each methodological option is based on different assumptions and has its own basic rules and forms of action, they are not mutually exclusive methods; they complement each other.

Hence this course will provide a basic introduction to qualitative and quantitative analysis of data with an emphasis on practical applications, so the student will know which should be applied in order to generate the knowledge he/she wants.

 

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. know the key elements of qualitative and quantitative methodology so that students can reflect upon and choose the best suitable methods and utilize methods for their own independent research;

2. identify the best suitable qualitative and quantitative methods to solve a given problem or to provide answers for a given research question;

3. understand and document why the methods have been chosen, and what are their limits of the analysis;

4. apply qualitative and quantitative methods and draw conclusion from the analysis.

Readings/Bibliography

Slides and materials will be available in the Toledo QQM e-course

 

 

Recommended literature:

Angrist, J. D., & Pischke, J. S. (2014). Mastering 'metrics: The path from cause to effect. Princeton University Press.

Chambliss, D. F., & Schutt, R. K. (2018). Making sense of the social world: Methods of investigation. Sage Publications: London, UK.

Klass, G. M. (2012). Just plain data analysis: finding, presenting, and interpreting social science data. 2nd edn. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.

Rowntree, D. (2018). Statistics Without Tears: A Primer for Non-Mathematicians. Penguin Books: Harmondsworth, Middlesex.

Wooldridge, J. M. (2015). Introductory econometrics: A modern approach. Cengage learning.

Teaching methods

Lectures

15 sessions (2 hours each) in 12 weeks, generally Wednesdays from 11:30 to 13:30, and Fridays from 9:00 to 11:00 CET. Please check the schedule uploaded on Toledo QQM virtual space for the specific dates.

 

Seminars / Group Work

There will be five on-campus seminars:

March 5

March 19

March 31

April 27

May 11.

 

Those five days there will not be a lecture session. Students will have to attend their scheduled on-campus seminar.

Seminar Participation Policy: In-person participation in all five seminars is mandatory. Attendance and active participation in all five seminars will account for 5% of the final grade.

Assessment methods

Individual continuous assessments: assignments, and short quizzes taken during the sessions: 45% of total grade.

Attendance and active participation in all five on-campus seminars: 5% of total grade. There are not retakes.

Individual final exam (on campus) during the exam period: 50% of total grade. The required minimum exam mark to pass QQM is two points (out of 10). Any student with a lower exam mark will automatically fail.

Additional guidelines describing specific requirements on a per assignment and short quiz basis will be uploaded into the Toledo Quantitative and Qualitative Methods e-course.

INFORMATION ABOUT RETAKE EXAMS
The retake exam is similar to the final exam. Retake grade will be calculated also as 45% continuous assessment, plus 5% attendance and active participation in on-campus seminars, plus 50% written retake exam.

Students re-enrolling in QQM will have to sit for all activities: all individual activities of continuous assessment, on-campus seminars and final exam.

Teaching tools

Slides (pdf), exercises (pdf, docx and xlsx) and additional materials (links to videos, interactive webs, etc). These will be made available via Toledo.

Microsoft Excel will be used to carry out calculations and analysis.

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Bozzetti

See the website of Cristina Del Campo