Syllabus

Title
1276 Quantitative and Qualitative Methods II
Instructors
PD Mag.Dr. Barbara Haas, Dr. Manuel Scholz-Wäckerle
Type
PI
Weekly hours
4
Language of instruction
Englisch
Registration
09/17/19 to 10/01/19
Registration via LPIS
Notes to the course
Subject(s) Master Programs
Dates
Day Date Time Room
Tuesday 10/15/19 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM D4.0.039
Friday 10/18/19 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM D4.0.039
Tuesday 10/22/19 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM D4.0.039
Friday 10/25/19 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM D4.0.039
Tuesday 11/05/19 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM D4.0.039
Friday 11/08/19 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM D4.0.039
Tuesday 11/12/19 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM D4.0.039
Friday 11/15/19 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM D4.0.039
Tuesday 11/19/19 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM D4.0.039
Friday 11/22/19 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM D4.0.039
Tuesday 11/26/19 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM D4.0.039
Friday 11/29/19 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM D4.0.039
Tuesday 12/03/19 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM D4.0.039
Friday 12/06/19 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM D4.0.039
Tuesday 12/10/19 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM D4.0.039
Friday 12/13/19 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM D4.0.039
Tuesday 12/17/19 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM D4.0.039
Friday 12/20/19 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM D4.0.039
Tuesday 01/07/20 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM D4.0.039
Friday 01/10/20 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM D4.0.039
Tuesday 01/14/20 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM D4.0.039
Tuesday 01/21/20 09:30 AM - 12:00 PM D4.0.039
Tuesday 01/21/20 12:00 PM - 02:00 PM D4.0.136
Contents

There is still an ongoing debate on whether quantitative and/or qualitative methods are more appropriate to answer different research questions. Yet, both methodological approaches offer valuable contributions depending on the aim of research. While qualitative studies are suited for theory creation and require primarily exploratory designs (constructivist or phenomenological approaches), quantitative research seeks more to test theories by quantifying structured data.

The course covers special topics in both, qualitative and quantitative, methods.

The quantitative part of the course relates to agent-based modelling and simulation. Models are developed with heterogeneous interacting agents. Their cognition, behavior and organization gets grounded via qualitative empirical research (mixed methods). Eventually it is intended to explore socioeconmomic complexity, test models on robustness as well as ontological correspondence through (in silico) simulation experiments and conduct statistical analysis thereafter. Modelling and simulation will be taught so as to prepare students to conduct research in the area of demographic studies, environmental research, social policy and regional development.

In the qualitative part the aim is to develop mixed methods research designs which fit to the topics and questions of the students’ projects. With a special focus on the premises and basic ideas of empirical research, we look at ways of how these are implemented adequately in the designs. Furthermore, this part will focus on the qualitative method of expert interviews. Students will generate and analyze qualitative data.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

- develop or deepen a research question (based on the state of the art and on theories)

- specify a mixed methods research strategy in more depth (empirical design)

- design an agent-based model appropriate to the research question

- to analyse, interpret and try to link the varying results from quantitative and qualitative methods

- to present research results (including a quality assessment)

- to write a research report

Students are expected to:

- prepare the literature for discussions in class

- actively participate in discussions and assignments in class

- submit a research design

- to focus on a research question with bottom-up modelling and simulation techniques

- to use Netlogo for modelling and simulation

- to analyse and interpret computaionally generated data

- to submit a research report

Attendance requirements

80% attendance of the class is required! If you miss a class, please inform us in advance!

Teaching/learning method(s)

Design of Teaching

drafting and applying a research design, presentation, discussion, readings followed by a question-answer session to the obligatory texts and practical exercises.

Exigencies

Active participation in class, group assignments, presentation in class, final seminar paper on own project

Practical exercises in the framework of a group work dealing with a special topic will enhance the students’ understanding and ability to critically assess empiricalstudies and to apply those methods which are adequate for answering specificquestions.

The purpose of this course is to provide students with knowledge in specific techniques for agent-based modelling and simulation with different topologies.

Eventually students should be familiar with the methodological foundations of mixing quantitative and qualitative methods. They learn how to do an expert interview and how to use this data for empirical foundations of the model.

Assessment

- in-class participation and readings (10%)

- individual Tasks (quantitative and qualitative assignments) (40%)

- Group Tasks  (Research Report and Poster presentation) (50%)

Prerequisites for participation and waiting lists
Quantitative and Qualitative Methods I
Last edited: 2019-10-08



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