Syllabus

Title
1123 Interdisciplinary Socioeconomic Research Lab I: Quantitative Research in Social Policy
Instructors
Univ.Prof. Dr. Marcel Bilger, Univ.Prof. Dr. Ulrike Schneider
Contact details
Ulrike.Schneider@wu.ac.at; marcel.bilger@wu.ac.at
Type
FS
Weekly hours
2
Language of instruction
Englisch
Registration
09/07/23 to 09/21/23
Registration via LPIS
Notes to the course
Subject(s) Master Programs
Interdisciplinary Socioeconomic Research Lab I
Dates
Day Date Time Room
Tuesday 10/10/23 09:30 AM - 11:00 AM TC.-1.61 (P&S)
Tuesday 10/17/23 09:30 AM - 12:30 PM LC.2.064 PC Raum
Tuesday 10/24/23 09:30 AM - 12:30 PM LC.2.064 PC Raum
Tuesday 11/14/23 09:30 AM - 12:30 PM LC.-1.038
Tuesday 11/28/23 09:30 AM - 12:30 PM Online-Einheit
Tuesday 12/12/23 10:30 AM - 01:30 PM LC.2.064 PC Raum
Tuesday 12/19/23 09:30 AM - 12:30 PM D4.0.133
Tuesday 01/16/24 09:30 AM - 12:30 PM LC.2.064 PC Raum

On this page:

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Contents

This is the first part of a two-semester course, which aims at teaching students how to independently conduct an interdisciplinary research project. In this first semester, students will form groups to work on existing (secondary) data and start conceptualizing their research project based on these data. The next semester will be dedicated to the realization of the research projects chosen and designed by students.

The overall topic of the research lab is the quantitative analysis of research questions relevant to social and health policy. The first part of the course will be concerned with theoretical and methodological foundations of conducting a research project in this area and offering hands-on instruction on how to:

  • find a research topic
  • develop a specific research question
  • systematically review relevant literature
  • critically appraise relevant literature, and replicate published results when applicable
  • assess the quality of secondary data for the purpose of the planned project
  • plan an empirical analysis (research design)

In the following summer term, the acquired theoretical and methodological knowledge will be applied to the conduction of an independent research project. 

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Learning outcomes

After the course students will be able to independently:

  • Develop and plan a research project
  • Conduct a literature review on a specific research question with regard to all relevant scientific disciplines
  • Critical appraise relevant literature, and replicate published results if applicable
  • Choose a methodological approach that is appropriate for the research question
  • Plan and conduct a quantitative analysis, possibly mixed with qualitative methods
  • Write up a project report including all relevant information and results
  • Orally present and discuss the research approach and findings

Furthermore, the course promotes the following (soft) skills:

  • Working in research teams
  • Ability to independently organize and schedule a project
  • Effective communication of research objectives
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Attendance requirements

It is mandatory to attend the first lecture unless otherwise explicitly informed by e-mail. A minimum of 75% attendance of contact hours is required. In case online units are scheduled, the same attendance requirements apply.

In this course we will use the WU Check-in for the attendance check (for attendance only, not for online participation).

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Teaching/learning method(s)

The course applies a combination of

  • short lectures (pertaining to necessary steps and support in the planning of a research project, academic writing, theories and methods required for the analyses, working with secondary data)
  • critical appraisal of published studies, and replication of published results if applicable
  • independent research conducted in self-organized student groups
  • regular meetings between lecturers and student groups to discuss work progress
  • plenary discussion of the research of each group
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Assessment

Assessments (relative weights in the final grade)

  • Group discussion of another research proposal (20%)
  • Group presentation of own research proposal (25%)
  • Written group research proposal (35%)
  • Active course participation (20%)

Grades (point ranges)

  • 1: Excellent (90-100 points)
  • 2: Good (80-89 points)
  • 3: Satisfactory (65-79 points)
  • 4: Sufficient (50-64 points)
  • 5: Fail (0-49 points)
 
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Prerequisites for participation and waiting lists

Successful completion of:

  • "Grundlagen der Sozioökonomie"

We very strongly recommend the successful completion of:

  • "Planung & Durchführung empirischer Studien I"
  • at least one "Angewandte sozioökonomische Theorien & Methoden" course
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Readings

Please log in with your WU account to use all functionalities of read!t. For off-campus access to our licensed electronic resources, remember to activate your VPN connection connection. In case you encounter any technical problems or have questions regarding read!t, please feel free to contact the library at readinglists@wu.ac.at.

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Availability of lecturer(s)

E-Mail for office hours.

Last edited: 2023-10-11



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