The construction of quantitative data and its processing

The collection of primary information, of a quantitative nature, requires specific conditions and decisions for its application, as well as the choice of appropriate techniques in such a case.

In our continent, there is a rich and varied experience in the development of social surveys, both in academic settings and in social organizations and applied studies. The purpose of this seminar is to present the central concepts of this technique from a practical perspective and to provide an overview of the current development of new survey methods in social research. The seminar aims to help students understand the strengths, potential, and limitations of different types of surveys for generating knowledge in the social sciences. In this sense, the course seeks to contribute to improving the ability to apply these techniques and to provide conceptual and methodological tools for the critical evaluation of academic production based on the construction and use of quantitative data.

GENERAL PURPOSE

The objective of the course is for students to develop a basic set of methodological and statistical knowledge and skills to solve research problems involving the collection of primary quantitative information related to behaviors, opinions, and attitudes.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

That the students: 

• Empirically operationalize the concepts for the construction of observable indicators.

• They possess mastery of survey research, considering its characteristics, types, and procedures for conducting the information gathering.

• Develop practical skills and tools necessary for determining sample size and selection in social survey research.

• Operationalization in the Social Sciences
• The logic of variables
• Survey research
• Survey of general uses and types
• Design of measuring instruments
• Scales for measuring attitudes and testing the form
• Field work
• Sampling
• Size determination and extraction
• Results communication strategy

• Alvira, MF. The survey: an overview. Publisher: Center for Sociological Research, 2011. Collection: Methodological Notebooks
• Baranger, D. Data construction and analysis. Introduction to the use of quantitative techniques in social research. Posadas, Argentina 2009.
• Berenger, D. with collaboration from Fernanda Niño. (2009) Construction and analysis of data: introduction to the use of quantitative techniques in social research. 3rd ed.-Misiones, Argentina.
• Blanco, C. Survey and Statistics: Quantitative Research Methods in Social Sciences and Communication. 1st ed. - Córdoba: Brujas, 2011.
• Cea D Ancona, Ma. Angeles. (2001) Quantitative Methodology: Strategies and Techniques of Social Research. (3rd edition) Editorial Síntesis, Spain. CHAPTER 5: The Selection of Units of
• Cea D´Ancona, MA CHAPTER 1: HISTORICAL COORDINATES OF SOCIAL RESEARCH: THEORY AND EMPIRICAL RESEARCH In Quantitative Methodology Research Strategy and Techniques EDITORIAL SÍNTESIS, SA Madrid 1998
• Cea D´Ancona, MA CHAPTER 4: THE OPERATIONALIZATION OF CONCEPTS In Quantitative Methodology Research Strategy and Techniques EDITORIAL SÍNTESIS, SA Madrid 1998
• Cea D'Ancona. MA Survey Methods. Theory and Practice. Editorial Síntesis, Madrid 2005. Pages 289 to 387.
• Cochran, W. (1996). Sampling Techniques. Continental Publishing Company; Mexico; 513 p. Chapter 1: Introduction, pp-28 – pp31.
• Cohen, N. [et al.]. Research Methodology, What For?: Data Production and Designs /– 1st ed. – Autonomous City of Buenos Aires: Teseo 2019. Pages 15 to 3
• Ferrando, Francisco Ricardo Alvira Martín, Luis Enrique Alonso Benito, Modesto Escobar Mercado, 2016, ISBN 978-84-9104-111-5, pp. 202-236
• García Ferrando (2002) Survey, in García Ferrando, M; Ibañez, J; Alvira, F. The Analysis of Social Reality: Research Methods and Techniques, Alianza Universidad, Madrid. Chapter 5, pp. 169 to 199.
• García Ferrando, M. (1989) 3rd edition. Alianza Editorial, Spain. Sociostatistics: Introduction to Statistics in Sociology. Chapter 4.3. General Aspects of Sampling in Sociological Research. Pp. 132-154.
• González Blasco, P. MEASURING IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES. In García Ferrando, M., Ibáñez, J., and Alvira, F. The Analysis of Social Reality: Research Methods and Techniques. Alianza Editorial, 1998. Pp. 209-235. Val Cid, C. Measurement: Validity and Reliability. In The Analysis of Social Reality: Research Methods and Techniques / edited by Manuel García
• Hernández Sampieri, R. et al. Chapter 1 Definitions of quantitative and qualitative approaches, their similarities and differences In Research Methodology Sixth Edition McGRAW-HILL / INTERAMERICANA EDITORES, SA DE CV Mexico 2014 pp. 1 to 20
• Hernández Sampieri, R. et al. Chapter 9 Quantitative Data Collection In Research Methodology Sixth Edition McGRAW-HILL / INTERAMERICANA EDITORES, SA DE CV Mexico 2014 pp. 196 to 216
• Kerlinger, F. Behavioral Research. Chapter 3 Constructs, Variables, and Definitions. Pages 30-47. McGraw-Hill, Second Edition, Mexico, 1988.5
• Kerlinger, F. and Lee, H. (2002). Behavioral Research. 4th Edition. Chapter 8: Sampling and Randomization. pp. 147–157. McGraw Hill Publishing.
• López-Roldán, P.; Fachelli, S. (2015), Chapter 11.3 "The survey", in P. López[1]Roldán and S. Fachelli, Methodology of Quantitative Social Research, Autonomous University of Barcelona
• Mandujano Bustamente, F. (1998). Sampling theory: particularities of sample design in studies of social behavior. In: Electronic Journal of Applied Methodology. Vol. 3 nº 1, pp. 1-15.
• Martínez Bencardino, Ciro. (2012). Statistics and Sampling. 13th ed. -- Bogotá: Ecoe Ediciones, 900 p. – (Exact Sciences. Mathematics). ISBN 978-958-648-702-3. Chapter 7: Sampling Designs.
• Noelle, E. Surveys in Mass Society. Alianza Editorial, Madrid 1970 Pages 37 to 64 - 187 to 229
• Otzen, Tamara, & Manterola, Carlos. (2017). Sampling Techniques on a Study Population. International Journal of Morphology, 35(1), 227-232
• Vidal Díaz de Rada. (2012). Papers: journal of sociology, ISSN 0210-2862, ISSN[1]e2013-9004, Vol. 97, No. 1, 193-223.
• Vidal Díaz de Rada. Fieldwork Manual for Surveys (Face-to-face and Telephone). Madrid: Center for Sociological Research, 2015 (Methodological Notebooks; 36). Pages 115 – 170.
• Wainerman, C. (co-ed.). Measurement Scales in Social Sciences. Nueva Visión Publishers, Buenos Aires, 1976, pp. 199-289. Baranger, D. Data Construction and Analysis. Introduction to the Use of Quantitative Techniques in Social Research. Posadas, Argentina, 2009. Chapters 84-90. Scales

The basic requirements for taking a seminar are:

• Availability of at least 4 hours per week to dedicate to the seminar course.
• Internet access.
• Reasonable handling of communication and computer tools.
• Language proficiency in the language in which the course will be taught. The official languages ​​are Spanish and Portuguese.

The seminars last 10 weeks, plus the completion of a final project. 48 hours of work with the instructor and 90 hours of total dedication will be credited.

A course consists of 10 classes, each accompanied by required readings, supplementary readings, discussion forums, and learning activities proposed by the teaching team, as well as partial submissions and a final project. The course is delivered online and asynchronously. Some instructors may propose synchronous activities. In these cases, the time and date will be agreed upon in advance between the teaching team and the students to ensure everyone's participation. To pass the seminar, students must participate in at least 80% of the discussion forums and activities proposed by the instructors, complete all scheduled partial submissions, and pass the final project.

The possible payment methods are credit card, bank transfer and bank deposit.