6 ECTS credits
150 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 1021425CER for all students in the 1st semester at a (C) Bachelor - specialised level.

Semester
1st semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Possible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Enrollment Requirements
Students who want to enroll for this course, must have passed ‘Quantative research methods' and must have obtained at least 30 ECTS-credits on bachelor level.
Taught in
English
Partnership Agreement
Under interuniversity agreement for degree program
Faculty
Faculty of Social Sciences & SolvayBusinessSchool
Department
Sociology
External partners
Universiteit Gent
Educational team
Tom De Winter (course titular)
Activities and contact hours
26 contact hours Lecture
124 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

Specific objectives are specified at the beginning of each class.
In general, students should be able:

  • to explain in their own words the principles of multivariate linear techniques of data analysis for the social sciences
  • to elaborate upon the theoretical background of the statistical methods
  • to adequately choose between data methods taking research design and data quality into account
  • to interpret and report the results of multivariate statistical techniques.

The following statistical techniques will be seen during this course:

  • Introduction: relevant basic principles of descriptive and inferential statistics, overview of multivariate analysis techniques
  • Multiple regression analysis, including interaction effects, mediation effects and dummy regression
  • Principal component analysis and Factor analysis
  • Binary and multinomial logistic regression analysis
  • Poisson Regression and Negative Binomial Regression analysis
  • Generalized Linear Models
Course material
Digital course material (Required) : Reader + slides of theoretical lectures and lab sessions, Canvas
Additional info

Didactic forms

  • Interactive lectures with class discussions, peer-to-peer learning;
  • E-learning;
  • Micro-teaching;
  • Seminar with guided PC-exercises;
  • Guided self-study
Learning Outcomes

General competences

LR3: recognises the cross-sections, the intersections and the cross-fertilisations that are noticeable amongst the different social sciences.

LR4: is able to apply social theories and concepts on a well-delineated, socially and scientifically relevant research topic that relates to the European Union or other (international) institutions

LR6: can formulate a valid scientific research question on a topic that relates to the social sciences

LR7: can identify, gather and critically process the relevant sources and literature on a specific social sciences research topic.

LR8: knows how to set up a scientific and methodologically correct research design.

LR9: possesses the methodological knowledge and skills of data selection and data processing that prevail within the domains of the social sciences.

LR10: masters the techniques of good and accurate research reporting in oral and written form.

LR11: has an investigative, problem-oriented and critical attitude towards social, political and media-related phenomena and scientific research results with regard thereof.

LR12: recognises the multilayered and complex character of social, political and media- related facts and phenomena.

LR13: reflects and evaluates his or her learning process and results critically.

LR14: acts in a professional and responsible manner.

LR15: is able to perform teamwork, he or she possesses good communicative skills and is solution-oriented.

LR16: prioritises scientific integrity and honesty in his or her scientific research activities.

LR18: has awareness of the social role and function of social scientists.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Individual Assignment with a relative weight of 50 which comprises 50% of the final mark.
  • Group Assignment with a relative weight of 50 which comprises 50% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

There are two kinds of assignments.

  1. Throughout the semester, students will work together in small groups on lab reports.
    Specifically, students will collaborate on three lab reports
    1. Multivariate regression analysis
    2. Principal Component Analysis and Factor Analysis
    3. Logistic, Poisson and Negative Binomial regression analyses). These lab reports comprise 50% of the final grade.
       
  2. Students will write an individual technical paper in which they apply the learned generalized linear techniques to a social science research question.
    This individual assignment comprises 50% of the final grade.
    Only this individual assignment can be retaken for the second examination period, lab reports can thus not be handed in for the second examination period, and their grades will be taken over from the first examination.
Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bachelor of Social Sciences: Communication Studies
Bachelor of Social Sciences: Political Sciences
Bachelor of Social Sciences: Sociology