6 ECTS credits
150 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 1005060BNR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (B) Bachelor - advanced level.

Semester
2nd semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Enrollment Requirements
Studenten in de bachelor Communicatiewetenschappen hebben ‘Statistiek I voor de sociale wetenschappen' en 'Onderzoeksmethodologie’ (= 'Academisch onderzoek 2') gevolgd, alvorens ‘Kwantitatieve methoden’ op te nemen. Studenten in een andere bachelor hebben ‘Statistiek I voor de sociale wetenschappen' gevolgd, alvorens ‘Kwantitatieve methoden’ op te nemen. Studenten in het schakel- of voorbereidingsprogramma communicatiewetenschappen kunnen dit opleidingsonderdeel opnemen. Echter, een zekere basiskennis is vereist. Van deze studenten wordt verwacht inzicht te hebben in beschrijvende statistiek, aangezien hierop wordt verder gebouwd. Wanneer de student niet beschikt over deze kennis, wordt zelfstudie verwacht voor aanvang van het eerste college (aanbevolen hoofdstuk 1-3 in Verhoeven, N., 2017. Statistiek in Stappen. Amsterdam: Boom Uitgevers).
Taught in
Dutch
Faculty
Faculty of Social Sciences & SolvayBusinessSchool
Department
Communication Sciences
Educational team
Pascal Verhoest (course titular)
Gijs Lambrechts
Florian Stegen
Activities and contact hours
26 contact hours Lecture
22 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
102 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

The course in quantitative research methods is centered on the development of research competencies among students in Communication Sciences. More in particular, it focuses on data collection and analysis of numerical data. On the one hand, students will learn how to understand, assess and interpret such research studies in the field of Communication Sciences. On the other hand, students will have to integrate knowledge, skills and critical attitudes in order to conceive and conduct a scientific study independently using quantitative methods and analysis techniques. The course stresses learning goals at the highest level. The course enables students to apply techniques and methods to collect, analyse and interpret quantitative data in the context of this course and others, e.g. the bachelor’s or master’s thesis. To this end, interactive lectures, practical exercises and independent study assignments are combined.

The course is set up in such a way it underpins all research stages of quantitative research. It grounds in the premise of the significance of ‘data’ in contemporary society and communication. This theoretical framework will then lay base to yield insights into the importance of formulating research questions as well as investigating various types of research designs and methods guided by research ethics.

Quantitative data collection, analysis and reporting are discussed by, primarily, survey research, experiments and designing your own research project. Insights are produced into, a.o. the use of statistics for scale definition, sampling methods, significance testing, bivariate analyses, cluster and factor analysis. The importance of reliability and validity are herein continuously emphasized.

Course material
Digital course material (Required) : Slides e.a., Canvas
Additional info

The content is based on chapters from various handbooks that will be made available through Canvas. In addition, the lectures are supported by slides and exercise bundles, which show a rough structure of the lessons. These should preferably be supplemented with your own lesson notes. The slides  and bundles are made available through Canvas. The slides and own notes are also part of the course material.

Explanation of work form calculation:

  • Lectures (HOC, 26 hours): through practical examples and problem-oriented exercises, the theory from the literature is explained in an interactive way.
  • Teaching methods and practical exercises (WPO, 10 hours): during these lectures, the student will work with the content from the HOC’s under supervision.
  • Self-work and study (SELF, 102 hours): contact-independent activities
    • preparation of contact moments and processing learning content: 62 hours
    • integrated assignments: 40 hours

Students in a shortened trajectory of communication sciences, as well as bridging students and students who follow the preparatory program, can take this course.
However, a certain basic knowledge is required. These students are expected to have an understanding of descriptive statistics, as this is being built on. If the student does not have this knowledge, self-study is expected before the start of the first lecture (recommended chapter 1-3 in Verhoeven, N. (2017). Statistics in Stappen. Amsterdam: Boom Publishers).

 

Learning Outcomes

General competencies

This course contributes to the following general learning results of the bachelor in communication sciences:

  • students have knowledge and insight regarding applicable research methods in the discipline,
  • students demonstrate insight in the diversity of sources and search techniques,
  • students show a critical attitude with regard to sources and literature,
  • students can devlop their own scientifically grounded judgement and act in the spirit of free inquiry – i.e. with an open, critical-constructive and a-dogmatic attitude. Students do not seek ‘ultimate truths’, yet respond to scientific debate and the relative uncertainty of insights from an open position,
  • students can critically and self-critically, with a long term perspective, from an interdisciplinary angle, and cautious of monocausal interpretations, gauge the impact of social, cultural, economic, ethical, technological, political, legal and other factors to communication processes,
  • students reflect upon their own position as scientists, construe assumptions and identify and explicitate critically their presuppositions,
  • students are able to communicate information, insights and their research findings to diverse audiences in writing, orally and by using multimedia,
  • students can – with guidance – learn and act independently, creatively, critically and entrepreneurially,
  • students apply, under supervision and on a general and junior level, knowledge and insights regarding diverse research methods of Communication sciences,
  • students are competent to set up and accomplish communication scientific research, inspired by, in the framework of, or analogous to existing studies.

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:

  • Assignment with a relative weight of 30 which comprises 30% of the final mark.

    Note: The Written Exam - assignment consists of a group assignment in which the students brings together the subject matter about methods in a paper and submits this before the examination period. During the academic year, the students hand in an initial note that is used for interim feedback.
  • Written Exam with a relative weight of 70 which comprises 70% of the final mark.

    Note: The Written Exam– open questions include a written exam during the exam period. The exam consists for the most part of application questions but also contains some theory questions. During the exam, the student can use a computer with SPSS.

Additional info regarding evaluation

Regulations for second session:

The distribution of points (Exam Written – assignment, Exam Written – open questions) remains the same.

The following agreements apply to students who have to retake the course unit based on their total mark in the second examination period (<10):

  • If failed for the Written Exam - assignment (less than 5/10): The student reworks and improves the assignment as an individual assignment, in consultation with the supervisor. This is being reassessed.
  • If failed for the Written Exam– open questions (less than 5/10): The student retakes the exam in the second examination period.

 

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 Philosophy and Moral Sciences: default (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Communication Studies: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Bridging Programme Master of Science in Communication Studies: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Preparatory Programme Master of Science in Communication Studies: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)