Syllabus
| Instructor: | Jonathan Zhu ( );
Office Hours: 14:30-15:20 Thursday |
| Tutor: | Lun Zhang ( ); Office Hours: 14:30-16:20 Tuesday |
| Lecture: | 15:30-17:20, Thursday, P4704 |
| Tutorial: | T01: 11:30-12:20 Friday, Y7544 T02: 13:30-14:20 Thursday, Y7544 |
Aims and Objectives
The course is designed to introduce the basic logic, concepts, and skills of quantitative research, with a special emphasis on survey method. By the end of this course, students are expected to be able to become proficient to carry out the following tasks:
- to evaluate quantitative research reports;
- to design and implement data-driven research projects;
- to perform statistical data analysis and interpret analysis results;
- to write up research reports;
- to present research findings in a professional manner.
Teaching Format
There will be a two-hour lecture and one-hour tutorial per week. The lectures will focus on conceptual and design issues whereas the tutorials will center on hands-on training. Within and outside the tutorials, students will learn to carry out all-phase phrases of a survey project, including questionnaire design, sampling, field work, data entry, statistical analysis, and report writing.
Text
Earl Babbie (2007). The Basics of Social Research, 4th Edition. Thomson Wadsworth.
John Samuel (2003). Getting Started with SPSS for Windows (softcopy downloadable here).
Additional readings are given in the class schedule page.
Assessment Format
Student performance will be assessed based on the following components:
| Midterm Exam (based on text, lectures and tutorials, 12 March): | 15% |
| Final Exam (based on text, lectures and tutorials, date TBA): | 35% |
| Individual Exercises: | 20% |
| Group Project: | 20% |
| Attendance and Participation (in classes and tutorials): | 10% |
| Total: | 100% |
Class Attendance and Participation
Attendance is an integral part of the class participation. Attendance will be taken during classes and tutorials periodically. This policy is to ensure adequate exposure to class materials and participation in discussions and project. Class participation include engaging in questions, answers, and other activities in lectures and tutorials.
Time Management of Coursework
Students should submitted all coursework by the deadline. Delay in submission will result in reduction in grade at a rate of 50% per day.
Academic Conduct and Behavior
Students are strongly advised to follow University policy on Student Conduct and Behavior and refrain from academic dishonest behavior such as plagiarism and violation of copyright law.