Quantitative Methods for the Social Sciences: A Practical Introduction with Examples in R

This textbook provides a comprehensive introduction to survey research and quantitative methods, guiding students through the four main elements of survey research and quantitative analysis. It covers the importance of survey research, preparing a survey, conducting a survey, and analyzing a survey, with a focus on statistical tests using R. The revised and extended edition includes data analytical sections explaining the theory, rationale, and mathematical foundations of relevant bivariate and multi-variate statistical tests, as well as a brief introduction to statistical computing with R. It is suitable for introductory statistics, survey research, and quantitative methods classes in the social sciences.

Format: Hardback
Length: 141 pages
Publication date: 16 August 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This comprehensive textbook provides an essential introduction to survey research and quantitative methods, offering clear instructions on conducting statistical tests using R. Recognizing the importance of teaching statistical methods in a holistic and practical manner, the book guides students through the four main elements of survey research and quantitative analysis:

The Importance of Survey Research: This section explores the significance of survey research in collecting data and obtaining insights. It discusses the advantages of surveys over other data collection methods and highlights the importance of designing and conducting surveys effectively.

Preparing a Survey: Students learn how to create their own questionnaire based on formulating hypotheses and identifying research objectives. They also learn about sampling techniques, such as random sampling and stratified sampling, to ensure representativeness and accuracy of the data.

Conducting a Survey: The book provides step-by-step instructions on conducting a survey, including participant recruitment, questionnaire administration, data collection, and data entry. It also covers data quality assurance and ethical considerations in survey research.

Analyzing a Survey: Students learn how to analyze survey data using R, including descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate statistical tests, and correlation analyses. The data analytical sections explain the theory, rationale, and mathematical foundations of these tests, providing a solid foundation for statistical inference.

In addition to the theoretical aspects, the book offers a brief introduction to statistical computing with R, providing clear instructions on how to conduct statistical tests in R. This includes topics such as installing R, creating data frames, and performing statistical analyses using R functions.

Given the breadth of its coverage, the textbook is suitable for introductory statistics, survey research, and quantitative methods classes in the social sciences. It provides students with a solid foundation in statistical methods and enables them to apply these skills to real-world research and data analysis.

Weight: 412g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031345821
Edition number: 2nd ed. 2023