Introduction to empirical social research. Methods of data collection & related concepts. Main survey techniques (face-to-face, telephone, on-line survey). Characteristics of the questionnaire and methods for its construction. Measurement scales. Statistic tools for descriptive data analysis (frequency tables, position and variability measures) and graphical representations. Basic concepts of text analysis.
To be able to do empirical social research. To be able to develop a sample survey and to implement a questionnaire for data collection. To be able to provide a synthetic description of data through quantitative analyses, by correctly interpreting the studied phenomena. To be able to analyze a text with simple instruments.
Prerequisiti
None
Metodi Didattici
Face-to-face lectures, data labs and webinars.
Altre Informazioni
None
Modalità di verifica apprendimento
Standard exam (in person): written exam (mandatory) and a presentation in class based on a project developed individually (non-mandatory). The score of the presentation may vary between 0 and 3 points of the final score.
The written exam consists of a series of questions (open questions or brief exercises), which require a brief answer concerning the arguments of the course, or the construction or interpretation of graphs and tables.
Exam online (exceptional procedure during covid-19 emergency): quiz on Moodle and oral examination (both mandatory), plus a presentation in class based on a project developed individually (non-mandatory). The score of the presentation may vary between 0 and 3 points of the final score.
The quiz consists of a series of closed questions, which may require some calculations.
Programma del corso
Introduction to empirical social research. Design and implementation of a sample survey. Methods of data collection: characteristics and differences. The questionnaire. Measurement scales.
Descriptive statistics (tendency central and variability measures) and graphical representations. Basics of Stata software.
Text analysis: theory and examples. Basics of Wordstat software.