Quantitative Methods

Code:

C109

Acronym:

METQ

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Scientific Research Methods

Instance: 2006/2007 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Course/CS Responsible:	Criminology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
C	39	Oficial Study Plan LC	1	-	6	-

Objectives

The program is meant to give an introduction to the formal thinking applied to social themes and problems, especially those related with crime and criminal justice. In this sense, we want the students to be able to:
- Formulate research questions and contextualizing them in the scientific research process.
- Learn the basic concepts to prepare and make a research in criminological field.
- Learn how to use different methods, to make methodological choices and to make the most effective use of instruments.
- Acquire training in collecting and analysing quantitative data; this training allows the students to think about the relation between used methods, collected data and their meaning toward the criminal reality.
- Acquire a critical perspective of the sources used and the empirical research carried out.

Program

1. Introduction
1.1. “The meaning of quantify”: quantitative methods in human and social sciences; applying mathematics to human and social sciences; the scientific knowledge production as a process.
1.2. General steps of quantitative research: observing behaviour; defining variables and hypotheses; methods of data collection; typical limitations in each step of the research; ethical issues in the research; researchers’ responsibilities as scientist.
2. Quantitative methods
2.1. Key concepts: measurement scales, definition of dependent, independent and confounding variables; population and sampling.
2.2. Experimental design: experimental method and quasi-experimental research.
2.3. Longitudinal design (panel and cohort studies); cross-sectional designs; time series analysis; simulation; neural nets.
2.4. Survey using opinion polls: type, characteristics and limits of opinion polls.
2.5. Survey using questionnaires: defining the research question, the hypotheses and the conceptual framework; the process of questionnaire construction; categories and format of questions (evaluating attitudes, representations, opinions and behaviours); strategies to administrate questionnaires.
2.6. Data analysis: hypotheses validation; coding a data file and preparing data for statistical analysis; validity and reliability; meaning of the data toward the criminological reality; brief explanation how to conduct a meta-analysis.
3. Applications to criminological research
3.1. Understanding the context of empirical criminal research and the researchers’ ethics.
3.2. Some examples in the criminological field: self-report surveys; victim surveys; official statistics with data from courts, police and prisons; meaning of data from official databases.

Main Bibliography

- Appolinário, F. (2004). Dicionário de metodologia científica: um guia para a produção do conhecimento científico. S. Paulo: Atlas.
- Bachman, R. & Schutt, R.K. (2001). The pratice of reserach in criminology and criminal justice. Thousand Oaks: Pine Forge Press.
- Byrne, D. (2002). Interpreting quantitative data. London: Sage
- Cherulnik, P.D. (2001). Methods for behavioral research: a systematic approach. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
- Fink, A. (2006). How to conduct surveys, a step by step guide. Thousand Oaks: Sage, 3ªed.
- Foddy, W. (1996). Como perguntar, teoria e prática da construção de perguntas em entrevistas e questionários. Oeiras: Celta Editora.
- Fowler, F.J. (2002). Survey research methods. Thousand Oaks: Sage, 3ªed.
- Ghiglione, R. & Matalon, B. (1997). O inquérito, teoria e prática. Oeiras: Celta Editora, 3ª ed.
- Hagan, F. (2000). Research methods in criminal justice and criminology. Massachusetts: Allyn and Bacon, 5ª ed.
- King, R. & Wincup, E. (2000). Doing research on crime and justice. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Leong, F.T.L. & Austin, J.T. (1996). The psychology research handbook:a guide for graduate students and research assistants. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
- Moreira, J.M. (2004). Questionários: teoria e prática. Coimbra: Almedina.
- Peterson, R. (2000). Constructing effective questionnaires. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
- Quivy, R. & Campenhoudt, L. (1998). Manual de investigação em ciências sociais. Lisboa: Gradiva.
- Vaus, D. (2001). Research design in social research. London: Sage
- Vicente, P., Reis, E. & Ferrão, F. (2001). Sondagens, a amostragem como factor decisivo de qualidade. Lisboa: Sílabo.

Complementary Bibliography

More specific bibliography will be present during each session.

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical and practice/laboratorial classes.
Theoretical classes are used to describe and discuss the main contents of the discipline. Practice/laboratorial classes are used to training and making practical exercises applied to the criminological field.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Eligibility for exams

See general rules.

Calculation formula of final grade

See general rules.

Classification improvement

See general rules.