EH143-7-SL-CO:
Introduction to Quantitative Methods in R
2023/24
Essex Summer School in Social Science Data Analysis
Colchester Campus
Summer & Long Vacation
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Monday 22 April 2024
Wednesday 02 October 2024
15
31 March 2021
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
The module will cover how to analyze quantitative data in the free, open-source software R.
Participants should have a background in introductory statistics or concurrently enroll in an introductory statistics course. Prior initial exposure to statistical techniques up to linear regression (at a fundamental level) is helpful but not required.
No background in R or computer programming is required. The course introduces R from a beginner's perspective. At the same time, participants with experience in other tools (e.g. SPSS, Stata, or SAS) will find the course structure helpful to transfer their skillsets into R.
The main aim of the course is to give participants a near-complete foundation to use R for all commonly encountered tasks in social science data analytics.
On successful completion of the modules, students will:
1. Have an advanced understanding of R, sufficient for producing publishable work in the social sciences
2. Have experience and skills using R in a range of practical applications
3. Be able to apply their knowledge of R to their own project
Topics include:
1. Introduction to the R language and software architecture
2. Use of the tidyverse suite of R packages
3. Incorporating R code and document production (R Markdown)
4. Workflow, reproducibility, and version control in R
5. Data import and data management, including working with "messy" datasets
6. Descriptive statistics
7. Data visualization
8. Common techniques for statistical inference, including regression
9. R packages for advanced statistical methods, including network analysis and text analysis
10. Writing basic functions
11. Monte Carlo analysis and simulation
Module information will be made available at https://essexsummerschool.com/.
Please contact essexsummerschoolssda@essex.ac.uk and govpgquery@essex.ac.uk with any queries.
The following learning and teaching methods will inform the pedagogic process of the course:
The lectures will introduce the key theoretical concepts of the social science research methods. Foundations of the social science methods and instructions on how to apply them for solving research problems will be established through the lectures (Learning outcome 1 and 3). The lectures will also equip students with a critical understanding of the strengths and weakness of the specific techniques, directing them to the most appropriate approach for various contexts.
The labs will focus on practical applications of the methods taught in the lectures. For each topic, relevant applications will be practiced in the lab sessions, which will help students to acquire the skills for implementing the methods and solving problems (Learning outcome 2 and 3).
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Assessment One |
|
|
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
No
No
No
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
Disclaimer: The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its Module Directory is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can
be necessary to make changes, for example to programmes, modules, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements,
industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to modules may for example consist
of variations to the content and method of delivery or assessment of modules and other services, to discontinue modules and other services and to merge or combine modules.
The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications and module directory.
The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.