10.028 Introduction to Qualitative & Quantitative Research Methods

There is a growing demand for insights derived from social scientific research among governmental and commercial organisations around the world. Regardless of one’s choice of career, developing skills necessary to understand and evaluate quantitative and qualitative research is essential for us as informed citizens and consumers, so that we can better understand user (individual, group, community) behaviour and preferences towards changes and/or technology advancements that draw on the findings of such research studies. Furthermore, having the knowledge and skills to conduct and oversee research projects is critical in some careers, especially in consulting, policy, data science, product and software design, and for those who want to pursue postgraduate studies. This course introduces students to the fundamentals of qualitative & quantitative social science research, including its epistemological assumptions, and the basics of data collection and analysis.

Some questions we will tackle include: What is social science research? What kinds of questions can we ask? What makes good survey and experimental research? How can different approaches offer answers or directions to the questions asked? This course does not require an in-depth understanding of statistics, although some basic knowledge of statistical principles and concepts relevant to social science research is preferred. Participants who take this course will be expected to complete social science research projects to enrich their learning experience by being able to apply the material to real-world problems.

Learning objectives

• Formulate suitable quantitative and qualitative research questions and know how to set up the connected research approach.
• Design surveys, questionnaires and experiments to collect reliable quantitative data.
• Design qualitative interview studies, focus group, ethnography and participant observation to collect appropriate qualitative data.
• Analyse and interrogate qualitative and quantitative data through the appropriate means.

Measurable outcomes

• Design a quantitative research approach to answer a social science research question
• Design a qualitative research approach to answer a social science research question
• Conduct and present a quantitative study to answer a social science research question
• Conduct and present a qualitative study to answer a social science research question

Course requirements

(WEC: Writing, Expression, Communication)

Weekly schedule

Week 1 – Course introduction and epistemological differences: What is social science research? What is it for?

The course begins with an introductory lecture on what social science research is, and what the goals of research are. It introduces students to some examples of social science research, and the consequences of such research. The section will also introduce the principles of ethics in social scientific research.

Week 2 – Research design in quantitative methods

This session introduces the epistemological assumptions of quantitative social science research, and basic principles, such as research questions and theory development.

Week 3 – Survey research and sampling/secondary data

This session introduces an overview of different data collection procedures in quantitative research. It will then begin by introducing survey research. It will also discuss its purposes, as well as the principles of sampling and generalisability.

Week 4 – Survey questionnaires and hypothesis testing

This session continues from the previous lesson, by discussing how to design high-quality survey questionnaires and instruments. Following that, students will be introduced to hypothesis testing in survey research, and the use of regression analyses, factor analysis, and structural equation modelling in testing hypotheses.

Week 5 – Experiments and causality

This session introduces the concept of causality in the social sciences, and how experiments can be addressed to determine causality in human behaviour. It will discuss experimental design, randomization, internal, and external validity.

Week 6 – Basic data analysis using R

This session will discuss the use of statistical techniques to analyse and interpret quantitative data to address a social science question.

Week 7 – Recess

Week 8 – Midterm: Quantitative project presentations

Week 9 – Research design in qualitative methods

This session introduces the epistemological assumptions of qualitative social science research. It addresses the criteria of what makes a ‘good’ qualitative research question, while also highlighting its differences to quantitative methods. As a key framework, grounded theory is introduced.

Week 10 – Interviewing in qualitative research

This session introduces interviewing as one of the key approaches to data collection in qualitative research. Students will be acquainted with key differences and nuances of asking and phrasing questions, the differences between unstructured and semi-structured interview guides, as well as the connected method of focus groups.

Week 11 – Ethnography and participant observation

This session introduces students to the most advanced methods of qualitative research, i.e. ethnography. The session will cover its anthropological origins and key tenets, including access, trust, participant observation, observer role, fieldnotes, reflexivity, and the resulting ethnographic text.

Week 12 – Qualitative data analysis

Finally, this section will provide insights into qualitative data analysis, focusing on qualitative coding and ethnographic analysis.

Week 13 – Free: Data collection & project work

This session will be left for students to conduct their own data collection/analysis.

Week 14 – Group presentations; Final report due

This 3-hour block will be a full session of group presentations on what each group has done for their final qualitative research project.

Instructors

• Björn Fischer
• Tan Mei Chee