General provisions

The course is part of the Master's Programme in Sociology.

Entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) within the social sciences including at least 30 credits in sociology.

Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. This requirement can be met either by achieving the required score on an internationally recognised test, or by previous upper secondary or university studies in some countries. Detailed instructions on how to provide evidence of your English proficiency are available at universityadmissions.se.

Learning outcomes

Having undertaken the course, the student will be able to:

• demonstrate enhanced skills in quantitative analysis methods in sociology
• use statistical software packages for the analysis of statistical data
• demonstrate the ability to interpret and evaluate the results of statistical analyses
• demonstrate the ability to reason critically both about possible sources of error in the analysis and about methodological limitations
• demonstrate the ability to critically reflect on the application, strengths and limitations of statistical methods
• demonstrate the ability to orally and in writing report, substantiate and justify quantitative analyses.

Content

The course aims to provide in-depth knowledge of and skills in the use, interpretation and evaluation of quantitative methods in sociology. The course advances the student's skills in the practical application of statistical methods within the subject. Examples of areas covered during the course are inference, relationship between variables, correlation, regression analysis, causality analysis (experimental and semi-experimental methods). The course also gives an increased awareness of the prerequisites for and limitations of statistical analyses.

Instruction

The teaching consists of lectures, seminars/workshops and independent studies. Active participation in seminars is always required. Absence from compulsory components can only partially be compensated by written assignments. Students who fail to meet the attendance requirements will be referred to the next occasion the course is offered.

Assessment

The assessment is based on written assignments as well as on active participation during seminars.

Grades: Pass with distinction (VG), Pass (G), Fail (U).

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.

Uppsala University takes academic fraud and plagiarism seriously and takes action against students suspected of involvement in fraud and / or plagiarism. Disciplinary measures consist in formal warnings and suspension from study for specified time periods.