Methods and Statistics in Social Science - Final Research Project

About this course: The Final Research Project consists of a research study that you will perform in collaboration with fellow learners. Together you will formulate a research hypothesis and design, come up with operationalizations, create manipulation and measurement instruments, collect data, perform statistical analyses and document the results. In this course you will go through the entire research process and will be able to help determine what research question we will investigate and how we design and perform the research. This is an invaluable experience if you want to be able to critically evaluate scientific research in the social and behavioral sciences or design and perform your own studies in the future.

Created by:  University of Amsterdam

• Taught by:  Annemarie Zand Scholten, Assistant Professor

  Economics and Business

Basic Info Course 5 of 5 in the Methods and Statistics in Social Sciences Specialization Level Beginner Commitment 6 weeks of project work; week 1-3: 3-5 hours / week; week 4-6: 4 - 8 hours / week Language English Hardware Req You'll need a computer where you can install the free statistical software package R. How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. User Ratings 3.8 stars Average User Rating 3.8See what learners said Coursework

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University of Amsterdam A modern university with a rich history, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) traces its roots back to 1632, when the Golden Age school Athenaeum Illustre was established to train students in trade and philosophy. Today, with more than 30,000 students, 5,000 staff and 285 study programmes (Bachelor's and Master's), many of which are taught in English, and a budget of more than 600 million euros, it is one of the largest comprehensive universities in Europe. It is a member of the League of European Research Universities and also maintains intensive contact with other leading research universities around the world.

Syllabus


WEEK 1


About the Final Research Project
This section provides all the general course information. You can find info on how this very special final research project is organized, what the important deadlines are, and how the grading works.


1 video, 7 readings expand

1. Reading: Hi there...
2. Video: ... and welcome to the Final Research Project!
3. Discussion Prompt: Let's get to know each other!
4. Reading: General info - What will I learn in this course?
5. Reading: Course format - How is this course structured?
6. Reading: Requirements - What resources do I need?
7. Reading: Grading - How do I pass this course?
8. Reading: Team - Who created this course?
9. Reading: Honor Code - Integrity in this course

Preparing for Milestone 1 - Choosing a research topic



In this section you will select a research topic in preparation of reaching your first milestone - formulating a general research hypothesis and design. Make sure you choose well, you will be working on the research topic you select here for the next six weeks!


1 video, 2 readings expand

1. Video: Preparing for Milestone 1 - Research topic
2. Reading: Instruction - How to choose a research topic
3. Reading: General information and literature (DC)

Graded: Comprehension (DC)

Milestone 1 - General hypothesis and design
In this section you will work on Milestone 1 - formulating a general hypothesis and design.


1 video, 1 reading expand

1. Video: Milestone 1 - General hypothesis and design
2. Reading: Instruction - How to formulate a general hypothesis and design
3. Discussion Prompt: Submit Milestone 1 for voting (DC)

Graded: Milestone 1 (DC)

WEEK 2


Milestone 2 - Design, operationalizations and expectations
In this module - based on the general hypothesis and design selected by popular vote - you will work on Milestone 2 and create a more detailed design.


1 video, 3 readings expand

1. Reading: Submit and vote to select a general hypothesis and design
2. Reading: Voting results for Milestone 1
3. Video: Milestone 2 - Design, operationalizations and expectations
4. Reading: Instruction - How to formulate a more specific design with operationalizations and expectations
5. Discussion Prompt: Submit Milestone 2 for voting (DC)

Graded: Milestone 2 (DC)

WEEK 3


Milestone 3 - Measurement and manipulation material
In this module - based on the detailed design selected by popular vote - you will work on Milestone 3 and help to create the instruments that we will use to measure and manipulate the variables in our study.


1 video, 3 readings expand

1. Reading: Submit and vote to select a detailed design
2. Reading: Voting results for Milestone 2
3. Video: Milestone 3 - Measurement and manipulation material
4. Reading: Instruction - How to create measurement and manipulation material
5. Discussion Prompt: Submit Milestone 3 measurement material for voting (DC)
6. Discussion Prompt: Submit Milestone 3 manipulation material for voting (DC)

Graded: Milestone 3 (DC)

WEEK 4


Milestone 4 - Data collection, methods documentation and analysis plan
In this module - based on the measurement and manipulation material selected by popular vote - you will work on Milestone 4 and document the methods and material used to perform the study and you will create a statistical analysis plan.


1 video, 3 readings expand

1. Reading: Submit and vote to select measurement and manipulation material
2. Reading: Voting results for Milestone 3
3. Video: Milestone 4 - Data collection, methods documentation and analysis plan
4. Reading: Instruction - How to document methods and create an analysis plan
5. LTI Item: Optional R practice area to work on your analysis plan

Graded: Milestone 4 (DC)

WEEK 5


Milestone 5 - Statistical analysis
In this module you will work on Milestone 5 and perform and document the final statistical analyses.


1 video, 1 reading expand

1. Video: Milestone 5 - Statistical analysis
2. Reading: Instruction - How to create the final statistical analysis syntax
3. LTI Item: Optional R practice area to work on your final analysis plan

Graded: Milestone 5 (DC)

WEEK 6


Milestone 6 - Report of the results
In this module you will work on Milestone 6 - the final milestone! - and report the results of your research study.


1 video, 1 reading expand

1. Video: Milestone 6 - Report of the results
2. Reading: Instruction - How to report the results

Graded: Milestone 6 (DC)

WEEK 7


Putting it all together (catch-up week)
In this module we'll reflect on the outcome of our study and look back on the entire research process. If you're behind schedule submitting your last milestone assignments, there's still time to catch-up!


1 reading expand

1. Reading: Putting it all together
2. Discussion Prompt: Reflect on the results - Disgust and Conservatism
3. Discussion Prompt: Reflect on the results - Health Persuasion
4. Discussion Prompt: Reflect on the results - Stereotype Threat

WEEK 8


Reflection (catch-up week)
In this final module we'll reflect on this final research project course and the entire specialization. Last chance to catch-up and give us feedback!


2 readings expand

1. Reading: Reflection on the course and specialization
2. Discussion Prompt: Reflect on the Final Research Project
3. Discussion Prompt: Reflect on the Specialization
4. Reading: The end...