The aim is to enable the students to reflect and use quantitative research methods.
Students will be able
- to understand the methodology of quantitative research methods
- to identify different quantitative research methods
- to analyse data with one specified method for example regression or variance analysis

The course gives an introduction into the methodology and practices of quantitative research, ways of analyzing quantitative data, deeper understanding about one specific quantitative research method and practices of analyzing data. This course focuses on quantitative research methods in general, and on specified methods such as regression and variance analysis.

The course has three parts:
1) Introduction focuses on the methodology of quantitative research. Different ways to examine the data and understand results are discussed. Students learn how the research questions and findings are related to the scientific assumptions on which the research methods are based.

2) Students will examine one specific, established quantitative research method (regression analysis/ variance analysis/ factor analysis etc.). The focus will be on the methodological basis and the ways of analysing the data. The selection of the covered quantitative methods will be based on the interests of the students.

3) The analysis of the data will be exercised. Basic rules of quantitative research method are practiced with a data by step-by-step process. The end result will be a well-grounded argument based on the analysis.

Introductory lectures (9h) during intensive period in Tampere in the beginning of February 2019, afterwards the course continues on-line in Moodle.

The course is only for the degree students of the MDP in Comparative Social Policy and Welfare.