Introduction to Data Analysis 1

Description:

Outline

This course provides an introduction to the theory and methods of quantitative data analysis, focussing on the social survey. It has an emphasis on hands-on learning, with a series of practical sessions using a statistical software package such as SPSS to explore the British Social Attitudes Survey Dataset.

Objectives

The course will:

• Introduce participants to survey data as a key quantitative resource for social science research;
• Introduce the structure and properties of survey data and consider the process by which variables in a dataset are derived;
• Explain the distinction between interval and discrete variables;
• Consider strategies for exploratory data analysis including methods for describing and summarising variable distributions;
• Provide participants with a conceptual understanding of the stages involved in exploring the relationship between variables;
• Provide essential skills of data manipulation including selecting sub-sets and recoding;
• Introduce the visual representation of variables in scatter graphs, bar charts and histograms.

Prerequisites

The course is designed for new users of survey data and does not presume any previous knowledge or experience working with quantitative methods.

It would be particularly appropriate for those who may anticipate working with a survey dataset and who wish to learn the basics of exploratory data analysis, possibly as a foundation for more advanced training.

The course stands alone but is designed as precursor to Introduction to Data Anaysis 2, where the attention moves to the analysis of relationships between variables and testing hypotheses.

Together the courses provide an excellent basis for moving on to training in more advanced methods such as logistic and multiple regression.

Recommended reading

Field, A. (2012) Discovering statistics using SPSS for Windows: London: SAGE Publications.

De Vaus, David. (2002) Analyzing Social Science Data: London: SAGE Publications.

De Vaus, David. (2002) Surveys in Social Research, 5th ed., London: Routledge

Rumsey, D. (2003) Statistics for Dummies. Wiley Indianpolis, Indiana.

Blaikie, N. (2003) Analyzing Quantitative Data: from description to explanation, London, SAGE Publications.

Cost:

£195 (£140 for those from educational and charitable institutions).

Website and registration:

http://www.cmist.manchester.ac.uk/study/courses/short/introductory/intro-to-data-analysis-1/

Region:

North West

Keywords:

Exploratory Research, Quantitative Data Handling and Data Analysis, Theory and methods of quantitative data analysis , Survey data , Exploratory data analysis , Data manipulation

Related publications and presentations:

Exploratory Research
Quantitative Data Handling and Data Analysis

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