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

Objectives

This course aims to introduce students for what their academic development is designed. This course covers the general philosophical background of academic inquiry as well as specific knowledge about generating an academic/professional profile. More specifically, students will be able to:

• understand and engage theoretical and methodological concepts and perspectives to analyze and understand social scientific research;
• develop a large set of transversal skills which students need to master in their future domestic and international work environments, so that they are equipped to use organizational, language, inter-cultural communication and information skills, when confronted with the challenges of daily professional practice;
• identify research questions, understand academic literature, understand the basics of data collection and analysis;
• 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;
• identify the best suitable qualitative and quantitative methods to solve a given problem or to provide answers for a given research question;
• understand and document why the methods have been chosen, and what are their limits of the analysis;
• apply qualitative and quantitative methods and draw conclusion from the analysis.

 

Components

In this course, the following components are covered:

• qualitative research questions, theoretical and conceptual frameworks;
• sampling, data collection techniques;
• analytical frameworks and research design, research ethics and quality assessment;
• quantitative data and regression analysis.

 

Readings/Bibliography

Recommended Readings:

• 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.

Power point slides and other course material will be available on Toledo.

Teaching methods

Blended learning - Practical lecture - Traditional lecture

The contents of the course will be developed in the following learning activities:

• Lectures taught in a blended mode
• On-campus seminars/practical classes, in which students practically engage with the teaching materials from the lectures.

Assessment methods

Type: Partial or continuous assessment with (final) exam during the examination period
Assessment method: Paper/Project, Participation during contact hours, Self assessment/Peer assessment, Written
Type of questions: Multiple choice
Permitted materials: Calculator

The final overall grade is calculated on a scale of 0-20. Students must obtain at least 10/20 on all subparts (OLA’s) to be able to pass in total. If the student obtains less than 10/20 on one or more OLA’s, they cannot achieve a final overall grade higher than 9/20. Pass grades are carried over to the retake exam period. If the student does not take one or more subparts, the student will achieve an NA as the final overall grade.

If no credit was obtained for the overall course and the course is re-sat in the third examination period (retakes), then:

• Pass grades shall not be retaken. The previously obtained results shall be transferred to calculate the new final overall grade.
• The subparts for which the student obtained less than 10/20 (or NA) must be retaken. The 'Best result principle' does not apply to OLAs!
  

 

This course includes the following evaluation:

1. Final written exam during examination period (50% of the total score)

The final exam is organized as a digital (bring-your-own-device) exam via the Ans examination platform. Students must be present on campus to take the exam. During the exam, students may use a simple, non-graphical calculator. The duration of the exam is between 60 and 120 minutes.

2. Continuous assessment (50% of the total score)

Several assignments and/or short quizzes taken during the sessions. 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.

The evaluation is graded by the lecturer(s), as communicated via Toledo and the exam schedule. The result is calculated and expressed with a whole number to 20.

In the final exam and continuous assessment that uses multiple choice questions, correction for guessing is applied. This means that negative points are deducted for incorrect answers.

When submitting assignments, the agreed deadline is respected. Possible deviations are not negotiable. If special individual circumstances have arisen, one should contact the ombuds service before the deadline. If the deadline is not respected, the assessment of the component in question will be counted as a 0-score within the weighted final result, unless for a valid reason a new submission date is determined after the application.

Students are responsible for submitting work that is free of fraud. Irregularities, in particular with regard to authorship (e.g. plagiarism and the improper use of genAI), will be punished with the sanctions provided for in the BAES exam regulations [https://ghum.kuleuven.be/EN/baes/students/regulations] .

 

Resitting exams

This course unit allows partial mark transfers in case of partial pass mark:

• S0L08a - Qualitative and Quantitative Methods (during and beyond academic year)
• S0S36a - Research Design (during and beyond academic year)

 

Qualitative and Quantitative Methods

Students who do not pass the course, repeat the exam during the retake examination period, which is organized in the first half of July in accordance with the BAES student calendar [https://ghum.kuleuven.be/EN/baes/students/baes-student-calendar] . The results of continous assessment will be maintained, regardless of the result. The retake exam is similar to the final exam. Retake grade will be calculated also as 50% continuous assessment plus 50% retake exam.

Students who do not pass the course after the first two attempts (regular examination period and retake examination period), must take up the whole course in their ISP in the next academic year. In this case, students must complete all evaluation items as if they were taking the course for the first time. No grades from previous years can be carried over or recovered.

Office hours

See the website of Federico Alagna

See the website of Cristina Del Campo