In the 21st century sociologists, criminologists and political scientists can access a wealth of information contained in survey data repositories. To enable students to evaluate the quantitative literature and analyse survey data themselves, this course lays the foundations for three types of skills.

First, students will consider the theoretical underpinnings of survey design. Second, they will learn about the basics of statistical theory and understand which samples do and do not represent populations of interest. Finally, they will learn to use Stata, a software package that many social scientists choose for data analysis. The course is based on an inquiry-led pedagogy. Therefore, students will learn while designing and conducting their own research project, based on their investigation of survey data. The project will be written up as a research report that meets basic criteria set for survey-based publications in sociology, criminology or political science.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Understand and evaluate quantitative research articles.
2. Design a basic survey questionnaire and analyze survey data to answer specific research questions with cross-tabulations, t-tests, correlations and ordinary least squares regressions.
3. Understand the concept of random sampling and its relationship to statistical inferences.
4. Write survey analysis reports to professional standards.
5. Formulate and answer ad hoc verbal queries about statistical procedures and software.

Research-Led Teaching

Students in this course are required to complete, under the guidance of instructors, an independently designed research project based on survey data. Students will choose one of the provided large, population-representative survey data sets. Students will produce a data analysis proposal to receive feedback and guidance on further development of the proposed project. As the next step, students will complete data analyses for their project and write a data analysis report, based on their own statistical analyses.

Additional Course Costs

It is recommended that students purchase a 6-month licence for Stata 16, Flavour Stata/IC, AUD 78, available from http://www.surveydesign.com.au/buygradplan.html Alternatively, students can access Stata software in all Information Commons areas.

Examination Material or equipment

A non-programmable calculator (students should check with the Examination Office what models are allowed).

One double sided page of notes. Notes must be handwritten or printed in Times New Roman 12 pt with 2cm margins on all sides.

Required Resources

1.    All the required readings for this course will be available in Wattle. Readings must be completed before coming to class.

2.    Students can gain access to Stata in PC labs on the ANU campus, but the purchase of own software licence is recommended.

Recommended Resources

This course is supported with a selection of readings available in Wattle. Students are required to read and attempt to work through tutorial and lab notes before coming to class. Moreover, students will find it useful to have some Stata data analysis manual and some book on survey research on hand to read them regularly. Books below are very good, but students can use any book they like.

 

1.    De Vaus, David 2013. "Surveys in Social Research." London: Allen and Unwin, 6th Edition,

E-book available through the library website http://library.anu.edu.au/record=b3628743

 

2.    Pevalin, David and Karen Robson. 2009. "The Stata Survival Manual." Maidenhead: Open University Press, McGraw-Hill. E-book available through the library website http://site.ebrary.com/lib/anuau/detail.action?docID=10350202

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments on Assignment 1 unless submission is late.
• Verbal comments on Assignment 2 by appointment.
• Oral feedback to the whole class during lectures, tutorials and PC labs.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Missed tutorials and labs

Students who have medical certificate to excuse their absence from a tutorial or lab and wish to make up for participation credit need to email their certificate to the course convener along with evidence of completed tutorial or lab activities. This means completing activities specified in tutorial or lab notes available on Wattle and demonstrating the outcome with log files, notes, answers to exercises etc. If students cannot complete these activities because they do not have access to some resource that was made available in class, they Missed tutorials and labs

Students who have medical certificate to excuse their absence from a tutorial or lab and wish to make up for participation credit need to email their certificate to the course convenor along with evidence of completed tutorial or lab activities. This means completing activities specified in tutorial or lab notes available on Wattle and demonstrating the outcome with log files, notes, answers to exercises etc. If you think you cannot complete these activities because you do not have access to some resource that was made available in class, please email the course convenor.

Extensions and penalties

The course convenor assumes in this course that each student has one three-day extension either for Assignment 1 or 2. While you still must apply for an extension via Wattle, each student will be granted their first three-day extension. This is to allow you to deal with unexpected circumstances such as a change in work schedule, brief illness etc. The three-day extension will not be split. The second extension will only be granted if you experience serious adversities or health problems. The relevant documentation will be required. No extensions will be granted in retrospect even to students with EAPs.

For all late submissions, the ANU late submission policy (available at https://cass.anu.edu.au/current-students/coursework-policy-and-guidelines/late-submissions-and-extensions ) will apply. If your assignment is late, with or without an extension, your feedback will be late.

Support for students

The University offers a number of support services for students. Information on these is available online from http://students.anu.edu.au/studentlife/

 

International and culturally diverse students

The University offers special assessment arrangements for Students from Language Backgrounds other than English. If you wish to utilize them you need to follow the steps outlined in this document https://policies.anu.edu.au/ppl/document/ANUP_004603

The information provided is a preliminary Class Outline. A finalised version will be available on Wattle and will be accessible after enrolling in this course. All updates, changes and further information will be uploaded on the course Wattle site and will not be updated on Programs and Courses throughout the semester. Any questions or concerns should be directed to the Course Convenor.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	1. What will we learn in this course? Course structure and goals. 2. What is analysis? From research questions to indicators of concepts	Lab: 1. Introduction to Stata: data entry Tutorial: 1. The structure of a quantitative research
2	3. How to construct a survey questionnaire? 4. Philosophy behind research	Lab: 2. How to produce frequency distributions in Stata Tutorial: 2. Questionnaire design Assessment: Quiz 1 due
3	5. Data for quantitative research	Lab: 3. How to code and transform variables in Stata Tutorial: No tutorial Assessment: Quiz 2 due
4	6. Measurement, validity and reliability 7. Probability and sampling	Lab: 4. Descriptive statistics in Stata Tutorial: 3. Random sampling and the Central Limit Theorem Assessment: Quiz 3 due
5	8. Normal distribution & z-scores 9. Descriptive statistics: typicality and variation	Lab: No lab Tutorial: 4. Levels of measurement and using normal tables Assessment: Quiz 4 due
6	10. Cross-tabulations and chi-square statistics 11. Cross-tabulations: how to use them in reports and publications	Lab: 5. How to generate cross-tabulations in Stata Tutorial: 5. Chi-square statistics for tables Assessment: Quiz 5 due Assignment 1 due
7	12. Hypotheses testing 13. Statistical inference in publications	Lab: 6. Hypotheses about means and proportions in Stata Tutorial: 6. Hypothesis testing- a review Assessment: Quiz 6 due
8	14. Correlations: conceptual underpinnings	Lab: No lab Tutorial: No tutorial Assessment: Quiz 7 due
9	15. Correlations: how to use them in analyses? 16. Ordinary Least Squares Regression: foundations	Lab: 7. How to produce correlations in Stata Tutorial: No tutorial Assessment: Quiz 8 due
10	17. Ordinary Least Squares Regression: modelling assumptions 18. Multivariate Ordinary Least Squares Regression: conceptual issues	Lab: 8. How to run Ordinary Least Squares regression models Tutorial: 7. How to report correlations and regressions Assessment: Quiz 9 due
11	19. Presenting Multivariate Ordinary Least Squares regression in publications 20. Ethical considerations in quantitative research	Lab: 8. How to run Ordinary Least Squares regression models Tutorial: 7. How to report correlations and regressions Assessment: Quiz 10 due Assignment 2 due
12	21. Course review: what we have learned this semester 22. What to expect on the exam	Lab: No lab Tutorial: No tutorial

Tutorial Registration

Each student must enrol into one PC Lab and one Tutorial group. Tutorial and lab registration will be available in Wattle.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Data analysis proposal	15 %	31/03/2020	14/04/2020	1, 2, 3, 4
Data analysis report (based on cross-tabulations or other methods taught in SOCY2038)	35 %	18/05/2020	03/06/2020	1, 2, 3, 4
Pen and paper exam	30 %	*	*	2, 3, 4
Quizzes (10 quizzes worth 1% each)	10 %	*	*	1, 2, 3, 4
Participation in labs and tutorials	10 %	*	*	1, 3, 5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Students who do not attend any classes will not be able to meet Learning Outcome No 5 and therefore pass the course. In class students will be given opportunities to raise and answer questions and they need to take them up to earn participation credit. There is no minimum class attendance requirement.

Examination(s)

This course involves a formal final exam. Students are assessed on and receive credit for demonstrated skills taught in this course.

Assessment Task 1

Data analysis proposal

Details: A separate document with Assignment 1 guidelines and assessment rubrics will be available in Wattle. All guidelines are provided on the assumption that students know the content of the course syllabus available in Wattle plus the relevant lectures, tutorial and lab notes.

Word limit: 1000-1500

Credit value: 15%

Submission requirements: 1) Electronic copy in Wattle through Turnitin Assignment 1 link by 11.55pm

                                                2) Another identical copy in Wattle through Assignment 1 link by 11.55pm

Estimated return date: Approximately two weeks for submissions received on time (when staff-to-students ratio does not exceed 1:40)

Feedback: Written feedback will be uploaded to Wattle or emailed to students' university email accounts.

Assessment Task 2

Data analysis report (based on cross-tabulations or other methods taught in SOCY2038)

A separate document with Assignment 2 guidelines and assessment rubrics will be available in Wattle. All guidelines are provided on the assumption that students know the relevant course content available in Wattle.

Word limit (and other requirements): 2000-2500 words plus Stata do file (submitted as text or a .do file). Stata do files, references and appendices do not count towards the word limit.

Credit value: 35%

Submission requirements: 1) Electronic copy in Wattle through Turnitin Assignment 2 link by 11.55pm

                                                2) Another identical copy in Wattle through Assignment 2 link by 11.55pm

Estimated return date: Approximately two weeks for submissions received on time if staff-to-students ratio does not exceed 1:40.

Feedback: Assessment sheets (ticked boxes) will be emailed or uploaded to Wattle. More extensive oral feedback will be provided by appointment, if required.

Assessment Task 3

Pen and paper exam

The details will be announced and discussed in class. The exam is administered by the Examination Office and the relevant rules apply (e.g. students who are late more than 30 minutes are not allowed to sit the exam). Students should consult the university examination policies for more details. 

Submission: Formal exam (students will need a nonprogrammable calculator)

Assessment Task 4

Quizzes (10 quizzes worth 1% each)

Wattle Quizzes. The details and the schedule of quizzes will be discussed in Lecture 1. Quizzes begin in Week 2. Each quiz will be available only for 7 days beginning at 8 am on Monday morning. It is essential to attempt each quiz as students who do not open quizzes, when they become available, will not be able to access them later to revise. 

Submission: Quizzes will be accessed through Wattle.

Assessment Task 5

Participation in labs and tutorials

Participation in labs and tutorials. Records will be kept. To receive participation credit students must ask or answer questions in class.

Submission: Participation is asking or answering questions.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

Students will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Students should keep a copy of the assignment for their records. Assignments must be submitted through both Wattle links (Link 1 and Link 2) to be considered submitted. Submission through Turnitin only is insufficient. Feedback files will be available outside of Turnitin (i.e. in Link 2).

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

The course convenor assumes in this course that each student is entitled to one three-day extension either for Assignment 1 or 2. While students still must apply for an extension via Wattle, as mandated by the college, they will be granted their first request for a three-day extension. This is to allow students to deal with unexpected circumstances such as a change in work schedule or mild illness etc. The three-day extension cannot be split. The second extension will only be granted if students experience serious problems and provide suitable documentation. No extensions will be granted in retrospect even to students with Educational Access Plans.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Feedback will be emailed or made available in Wattle. Students will be notified in class or by their ANU email about the feedback format, but normally feedback will be in files available in Link 2.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Students will not normally be able to resubmit their assignments.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students