About this course: Discover the principles of solid scientific methods in the behavioral and social sciences. Join us and learn to separate sloppy science from solid research! This course will cover the fundamental principles of science, some history and philosophy of science, research designs, measurement, sampling and ethics. The course is comparable to a university level introductory course on quantitative research methods in the social sciences, but has a strong focus on research integrity. We will use examples from sociology, political sciences, educational sciences, communication sciences and psychology.
Created by: University of Amsterdam
Taught by: Annemarie Zand Scholten, Assistant Professor
Economics and Business
| Basic Info |
Course 1 of 5 in the
Methods and Statistics in Social Sciences Specialization.
|
| Commitment | 8 weeks, 4-5 hours/week |
| Language | English, Subtitles: Chinese (Simplified) |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Before we get started...
In this first module we'll consider the basic principles of the scientific method, its history and its philosophies. But before we start talking methods, I'll give you a broad sense of what the course is about and how it's organized. Are you new to Coursera or...
2 videos, 9 readings
Origins of the scientific method
Science is all about gaining knowledge, coming up with the best possible explanations of the world around us. So how do we decide which explanation is the best one? How do we make sure our explanations are accurate?
How do we determine we actually know someth...
14 videos, 9 readings, 1 practice quiz
WEEK 2
The Scientific Method
In the first module we discussed how the scientific method developed, general philosophical approaches and the types of knowledge science aims to find. In this second module we'll make these abstract principles and concepts a little more concrete by discussing...
13 videos, 8 readings, 1 practice quiz
Graded: Scientific Method
Graded: Scientific Method - Writing Assignment (Creative)
WEEK 3
Research Designs
In the previous module we discussed the empirical cycle, causality and the criteria for methodological quality, focusing on threats to internal validity. In this module we'll consider the most frequently used research designs and we'll see how they address thr...
15 videos, 8 readings
Graded: Research Designs
Graded: Research Designs - Writing Assignment (Evaluative)
WEEK 4
Measurement
Choosing a design is only the first step in the deduction phase (remember the empirical cycle?). The second step is deciding on specific ways to measure the variables of interest and disinterest.
This step is extremely important, because even if we are able ...
14 videos, 6 readings
Graded: Measurement
Graded: Measurement - Writing Assignment (Creative)
WEEK 5
Sampling
In the previous two modules we discussed research designs and methods to measure and manipulate our variables of interest and disinterest. Before a researcher can move on to the testing phase and can actually collect data, there is just one more procedure that...
13 videos, 7 readings
Graded: Sampling
Graded: Sampling - Writing assignment (Evaluative)
WEEK 6
Practice, Ethics & Integrity
In this last content module we will focus on the part of the research process that follows data collection. The specifics of storing data and using statistics form a course topic in their own right (see the specialization courses on Basic and Inferential Stati...
13 videos, 6 readings
Graded: Practice, Ethics & Integrity
Graded: Practice, Ethics & Integrity - Writing assignment (Creative)
WEEK 7
Catch Up
In this module there's no new material to study. The only requirement in this module is that you finish up the final peer review assignment. We also advise you to take some extra time to review the material from the previous modules and to practice for the fin...
3 videos, 1 reading, 2 practice quizzes
Graded: Final Writing Assignment - (Evaluative)
WEEK 8
Exam Time!
This is the final module, where you can apply everything you've learned until now in the final exam. The final exam is structured exactly like the practice exam, so you know what to expect. Please note that you can only take the final exam once a month, so mak...
1 reading
Graded: Final Exam
FAQs
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Creators
University of Amsterdam
A modern university with a rich history, the University of Amsterdam
(UvA) traces its roots back to 1632, when the Golden Age school Athenaeum
Illustre was established to train students in trade and philosophy. Today,
with more than 30,000 students, 5,000 staff and 285 study programmes
(Bachelor's and Master's), many of which are taught in English, and a
budget of more than 600 million euros, it is one of the largest
comprehensive universities in Europe. It is a member of the League of
European Research Universities and also maintains intensive contact with
other leading research universities around the world.
Pricing
| Audit | Purchase Course | |
|---|---|---|
| Access to course materials | Available | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Not available | Available |
| Receive a final grade | Not available | Available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Not available | Available |
Ratings and Reviews
I learned a great deal from this course - the professor is clear, well organized, and thorough. I would have appreciated an additional session early on about how to review a research article--especially looking at many of the elements that were requested in the assignments--to help students feel more prepared to actually perform the assignments. Being asked to review research articles toward the beginning of the course (lesson 3) felt a bit like being thrown into the deep end before learning to swim. Personally, I instantly felt "out of my depth" and seriously questioned whether I "belonged" in the course or should drop out. But I am glad that I did continue, and hope that others will too, as it is a well-taught, valuable course. Thank you for presenting it.
Very good introduction!
It is a fabulous course. It helps me to understand basic concepts in quantitative research methods, and the way how scientific discoveries should work and actually works. Most important of all, I have benefited greatly from professor Scholten's clear and logic style of lecturing and well-designed assignments, which has developed my evaluative skills in applying the new knowledge to assess the methodological quality of real research work.
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TS
Great introduction to the bases of philosophy of science, principles of quantification, scientific experiments and critical analysis for identifying good (or sloppy) science.