SOC242 STATISTICAL METHODS IN SOCIOLOGY II
| Course Code: | 2320242 |
| METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week): | 4 (4.00 - 0.00) |
| ECTS Credit: | 8.0 |
| Department: | Sociology |
| Language of Instruction: | English |
| Level of Study: | Undergraduate |
| Course Coordinator: | Lecturer Dr. CEVRİYE AYSOY |
| Offered Semester: | Spring Semesters. |
Course Objectives
The primary purpose of this course is to establish the role of statistics and quantitative data in sociological research by focusing the relationship between theory and empirical research. This is the second course of statistical methods in sociology that covers basic techniques of data analysis by using inferential statistics. Students are presented with an introduction to the use of inferential statistical methods and computer applications by focusing on the pitfalls of statistical hypothesis testing in social research. The course also introduces students to basic techniques of checking associations for categorical and quantitative data obtained in sociological research. The course requires basic knowledge on statistical concepts and terminology in order to succeed.
Course Content
Advanced statistical methods and computer applications in social sciences. Topics include parametric and nonparametric statistical analysis. hypothesis testing, contingency problems and Chi-square tests, multiple regression analysis.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, a student will be able to:
- calculate and interpret point and interval estimators for basic statistics involving one or two populations;
- perform hypothesis tests to statistically prove or disprove claims involving one or more populations;
- describe and understand the association between categorical variables;
- perform variance analysis (ANOVA) to compare means between two or more groups;
- construct regression models to describe the relationship between variables and show the strength of the association using the correlation;
- use IBM SPSS program and Microsoft Office Excel to analyze data sets at elementary level;
- learn how to make quantitative data talk, disseminate and communicate empirical evidence to the scientific community and other target audiences such as policy makers, journals, social workers etc.
Program Outcomes Matrix
| Level of Contribution | |||||
| # | Program Outcomes | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 1 | To correlate sociology and other social sciences | ✔ | |||
| 2 | To interpret knowledge produced by society from a sociological perspective | ✔ | |||
| 3 | To renew and improve their accumulation by following up-to-date publications and research programs in their fields | ✔ | |||
| 4 | To be open to occupational novelties in order to understand social change | ✔ | |||
| 5 | To produce original solutions within and outside the discipline and in interdisciplinary levels | ✔ | |||
| 6 | To know and implement the ethics of sociological research | ✔ | |||
| 7 | To be aware of social, environmental, and economic effects in the areas where sociological approaches are appropriated | ✔ | |||
| 8 | To use and transfer the accumulation of sociological knowledge in an interdisciplinary way | ✔ | |||
| 9 | To understand social structures and dynamics by correlating the past, the present and the future | ✔ | |||
| 10 | To connect social theories of knowledge and social practices | ✔ | |||
0: No Contribution 1: Little Contribution 2: Partial Contribution 3: Full Contribution