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Quantitative Methods

Discover the principles of solid scientific methods in the behavioral and social sciences. Join us and learn to separate sloppy science from solid research!

This course will cover the fundamental principles of science, some history and philosophy of science, research designs, measurement, sampling and ethics. The course is comparable to a university level introductory course on quantitative research methods in the social sciences, but has a strong focus on research integrity. We will use examples from sociology, political sciences, educational sciences, communication sciences and psychology.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Before we get started...

In this first module we'll consider the basic principles of the scientific method, its history and its philosophies. But before we start talking methods, I'll give you a broad sense of what the course is about and how it's organized. Are you new to Coursera or still deciding whether this is the course for you? Then make sure to check out the 'Introduction' and 'What to expect' section below, so you'll have the essential information you need to decide and to do well in this course! If you have any questions about the course format, deadlines or grading, you'll probably find the answers here. Are you a Coursera veteran and anxious to get started? Then you might want to skip ahead to the first course topic: the Origins of the Scientific Method. You can always check the general information later. Veterans and newbies alike: Don't forget to introduce yourself in the 'meet and greet' forum!

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

This introductory level social sciences research methods course covers essential concepts

Utilizes examples from a range of social science fields

Focus is on quantitative methods

Gives learners the tools they need to evaluate the quality and validity of research

Teaches key principles and philosophies of scientific research

Covers foundational concepts necessary for advanced research

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Reviews summary

Solid theory and research integrity

According to learners, this course provides a very clear and concise overview of quantitative methods and a solid theoretical foundation in the principles of scientific research in the social sciences. Many appreciate the logical structure and high-quality materials. A significant strength frequently highlighted is the dedicated focus on research integrity, ethics, validity, and reliability. However, students widely note that the course is very theoretical and lacks sufficient practical application or examples. A common point of concern raised across reviews is the final exam, which many found to be significantly more difficult than the lectures, assignments, and practice tests, leading some to feel unprepared.

Assignments and practice exams aid learning.

"The assignments reinforced the concepts well."

"The practice exams were helpful..."

"Assignments were helpful for understanding."

"Practice exams are useful."

Emphasizes ethics, integrity, validity.

"I especially appreciated the focus on research integrity, which is often overlooked."

"The focus on validity, reliability, and research integrity is particularly strong and important."

"The discussions on ethics and integrity were valuable."

"The focus on research integrity is a major plus."

Provides clear, comprehensive basics.

"This course was excellent. It provided a very clear and concise overview..."

"A solid introduction to the principles of quantitative research. Covers the core concepts well."

"Highly recommend this course! The explanations are thorough, and the topics are presented logically."

"Solid foundation. The course covers the fundamental principles well."

Heavy on theory, light on practical examples.

"...it lacks depth in certain areas. I had hoped for more practical examples or case studies. It's very theoretical."

"...the focus is definitely more on the theoretical side rather than practical application."

"It provides theory, but minimal guidance on how to actually apply it."

"...it's heavy on theory, light on hands-on application."

Final exam difficulty surprises learners.

"...the final exam was quite challenging."

"...the final exam felt disproportionately hard compared to the material covered in the lectures."

"The final exam was extremely difficult and covered topics that weren't emphasized adequately."

"Terrible course. The final exam is ridiculously hard, completely out of sync with the lecture content and practice exams."

"The biggest issue is the final exam - it's much harder than everything else and requires knowledge/application not directly taught."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Quantitative Methods with these activities:

Review basic probability and statistics

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Strengthen your understanding of probability and statistics, which are essential for research methods.

Browse courses on Probability

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Review your previous notes on probability and statistics.
Take practice tests or quizzes to assess your understanding.
Seek help from a tutor or online resources if needed.

Complete online research tutorials

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Explore interactive tutorials to reinforce your understanding of specific research methods and techniques.

Browse courses on Research Methods

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Identify the areas where you need additional support.
Find reputable online tutorials that cover those topics.
Work through the tutorials at your own pace.

Review 'Research Methods for the Social Sciences'

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Reinforce your understanding of research methods by reviewing a classic textbook in the field.

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Read the assigned chapters.
Take notes and summarize the key concepts.
Complete the practice exercises at the end of each chapter.

Four other activities

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Solve research puzzles

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Practice your skills in applying the principles of research methods by solving puzzles and problems.

Browse courses on Research Methods

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Read a research problem or puzzle.
Identify the key concepts and variables involved in the problem.
Apply the principles of research methods to solve the problem.
Check your solution against the provided answer or solution guide.

Participate in research discussion groups

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Engage with your peers to discuss and debate research methods and findings.

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Join an online or in-person discussion group.
Read the assigned materials and prepare your thoughts.
Participate actively in the discussion, sharing your insights and perspectives.

Design a research poster

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Synthesize your understanding of research methods by creating a visual representation of a research project.

Browse courses on Research Methods

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Choose a research project to focus on.
Gather the relevant data and information.
Design the poster using a visually appealing and informative format.

Attend a research methodology workshop

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Immerse yourself in a structured learning environment to gain hands-on experience in research methods.

Browse courses on Research Methods

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Identify and register for a reputable research methodology workshop.
Attend the workshop and actively participate in the activities.
Apply the knowledge and skills you gained to your own research projects.

Career center

Learners who complete Quantitative Methods will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Research Scientist

Research scientists conduct research to advance knowledge in a particular field. They may work for a variety of organizations, including universities, research institutions, and government agencies. The Quantitative Methods course may be useful for aspiring research scientists, as it provides a solid foundation in the principles of scientific methods and research design. Additionally, the course covers topics such as measurement and sampling, which are essential for research scientists to understand.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Scientist

Data Scientist

Data scientists use data to solve problems and make decisions. They may work for a variety of organizations, including businesses, research institutions, and government agencies. The Quantitative Methods course may be useful for aspiring data scientists, as it provides a solid foundation in the principles of scientific methods and research design. Additionally, the course covers topics such as measurement and sampling, which are essential for data scientists to understand.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Quantitative Analyst

Quantitative analysts use quantitative methods to analyze data and make predictions. They may work for a variety of organizations, including investment banks, hedge funds, and consulting firms. The Quantitative Methods course may be useful for aspiring quantitative analysts, as it provides a solid foundation in the principles of scientific methods and research design. Additionally, the course covers topics such as measurement and sampling, which are essential for quantitative analysts to understand.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quantitative Analyst

Financial Analyst

Financial analysts use financial data to make investment recommendations. They may work for a variety of organizations, including investment banks, hedge funds, and mutual funds. The Quantitative Methods course may be useful for aspiring financial analysts, as it provides a solid foundation in the principles of scientific methods and research design. Additionally, the course covers topics such as measurement and sampling, which are essential for financial analysts to understand.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Risk Analyst

Risk analysts identify and assess risks for their organizations. They may work for a variety of organizations, including businesses, insurance companies, and government agencies. The Quantitative Methods course may be useful for aspiring risk analysts, as it provides a solid foundation in the principles of scientific methods and research design. Additionally, the course covers topics such as measurement and sampling, which are essential for risk analysts to understand.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Analyst

Advertising Manager

Advertising managers develop and implement advertising campaigns to promote products and services. They may work for a variety of organizations, including businesses, advertising agencies, and media companies. The Quantitative Methods course may be useful for aspiring advertising managers, as it provides a solid foundation in the principles of scientific methods and research design. Additionally, the course covers topics such as measurement and sampling, which can be helpful for advertising managers to understand when evaluating the effectiveness of their campaigns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Advertising Manager

Social Media Manager

Social media managers develop and implement social media strategies to promote their organizations. They may work for a variety of organizations, including businesses, non-profits, and government agencies. The Quantitative Methods course may be useful for aspiring social media managers, as it provides a solid foundation in the principles of scientific methods and research design. Additionally, the course covers topics such as measurement and sampling, which can be helpful for social media managers to understand when evaluating the effectiveness of their campaigns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Manager

Statistician

Statisticians apply statistical methods to collect and analyze data. They may work in a variety of industries, including healthcare, finance, and education. The Quantitative Methods course may be useful for aspiring statisticians, as it provides a solid foundation in the principles of scientific methods and research design. Additionally, the course covers topics such as measurement and sampling, which are essential for statisticians to understand.

See salaries and explore the career path for Statistician

Customer Success Manager

Customer success managers help customers achieve success with their products or services. They may work for a variety of organizations, including businesses, software companies, and consulting firms. The Quantitative Methods course may be useful for aspiring customer success managers, as it provides a solid foundation in the principles of scientific methods and research design. Additionally, the course covers topics such as measurement and sampling, which can be helpful for customer success managers to understand when evaluating the effectiveness of their strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Customer Success Manager

Product Manager

Product managers develop and manage products for their organizations. They may work for a variety of organizations, including businesses, software companies, and consulting firms. The Quantitative Methods course may be useful for aspiring product managers, as it provides a solid foundation in the principles of scientific methods and research design. Additionally, the course covers topics such as measurement and sampling, which can be helpful for product managers to understand when evaluating the effectiveness of their products.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Community Manager

Community managers build and manage online communities for their organizations. They may work for a variety of organizations, including businesses, non-profits, and government agencies. The Quantitative Methods course may be useful for aspiring community managers, as it provides a solid foundation in the principles of scientific methods and research design. Additionally, the course covers topics such as measurement and sampling, which can be helpful for community managers to understand when evaluating the effectiveness of their outreach efforts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Manager

Data Analyst

Data analysts collect, clean, and analyze data to identify trends and patterns. They may work in a variety of industries, including healthcare, finance, and retail. The Quantitative Methods course may be useful for aspiring data analysts, as it provides a solid foundation in the principles of scientific methods and research design. Additionally, the course covers topics such as measurement and sampling, which are essential for data analysts to understand.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Market Researcher

Market researchers conduct surveys and collect data to understand consumer behavior. They may work for a variety of organizations, including businesses, non-profits, and government agencies. The Quantitative Methods course may be useful for aspiring market researchers, as it provides a solid foundation in the principles of scientific methods and research design. Additionally, the course covers topics such as measurement and sampling, which are essential for market researchers to understand.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Researcher

Survey Researcher

Survey researchers design and conduct surveys to collect data on a variety of topics. They may work for a variety of organizations, including businesses, non-profits, and government agencies. The Quantitative Methods course may be useful for aspiring survey researchers, as it provides a solid foundation in the principles of scientific methods and research design. Additionally, the course covers topics such as measurement and sampling, which are essential for survey researchers to understand.

See salaries and explore the career path for Survey Researcher

Public relations manager

Public relations managers develop and implement public relations campaigns to promote their organizations. They may work for a variety of organizations, including businesses, non-profits, and government agencies. The Quantitative Methods course may be useful for aspiring public relations managers, as it provides a solid foundation in the principles of scientific methods and research design. Additionally, the course covers topics such as measurement and sampling, which can be helpful for public relations managers to understand when evaluating the effectiveness of their campaigns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public relations manager

Reading list

We've selected 14 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Quantitative Methods.

Research Methods for Criminal Justice and...

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Provides a comprehensive overview of research methods in the social sciences, covering topics such as research design, data collection, and analysis. It valuable resource for students and researchers who are new to research methods.

Research Methods for Criminal Justice and...

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Methods in Behavioral Research

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Provides a comprehensive overview of research methods in psychology, covering topics such as research design, data collection, and analysis. It valuable resource for students and researchers who are new to research methods.

Quantitative Methods

What's inside

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Solid theory and research integrity

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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