Applied Quantitative Research (SOCY3039)

Course overview

Skills in applied quantitative data analysis are highly sought after by employers and are widely used by researchers in academia, government agencies, private companies and community organisations. This course teaches some of the most important quantitative data analysis techniques to equip students to undertake their own research and to assess the research of others. The course is ideal for those who are planning to undertake a quantitative honours thesis or work in an area that requires evaluating or conducting quantitative analyses. Topics covered include: a revision of descriptive and inferential statistics; bivariate and multiple linear regression; binary, ordered and multinominal logistic regression; and the use of statistical software for data analysis. A defining characteristic of this course is its focus on the practical application of the methods covered, rather than on their mathematical or statistical properties.

Quantitative research methods are a powerful way to empirically explore substantive research questions in the Social Sciences and to rigorously examine sociological and other scientific theories. Skills in quantitative research and data analysis are also highly sought after by employers in both the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. This course follows on from 'SOCY2339/7339 Introducing Quantitative Methods' and aims to further enhance your skills in applying quantitative analysisﾠin the Social Sciences. The course begins with a brief revision of the key materials covered in SOCY2339/7339, followed by a discussion of techniques used to measure bivariate relationships. The course will then concentrate on powerful and useful regression-based techniques for examining relationships among both continuous and categorical data. The methods that we shall cover in this course are most often used in Social Science to analyse data generated by social surveys but they can also be applied to numeric data in general (e.g., experimental or administrative data).

Students will require their own device. Software will be installed in-class, in week 1 of semester.

Course requirements

Assumed background

Students enrolling in this advanced course should have completed 'SOCY2339/7339 Introducing Quantitative Methods', or an equivalent course on statistics or quantitative research methods for the Social Sciences at UQ or elsewhere. Students enrolling in this course are therefore assumed to have acquired foundational knowledge in univariate measures of central tendency and dispersion (e.g., mean, median, mode, standard deviation, variance), bivariate measures of association (e.g., contingency tables, correlations), and basic notions of probability theory and inferential statistics (e.g., sampling distributions, hypothesis testing, p values, t statistics, confidence intervals…). Some familiarity with the statistical software is desirable, but not essential.

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

SOCY2339

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

SOCY3019, SOCY7039

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

Participation in this course entails:

• Attendingﾠa weekly three hour Seminar.
• Students must bring their own device. If you do not have a laptop available to you please access the loan computers available through the UQ library.

For students to progress appropriately through the course, it is essential that they attend each seminar session. In each session students will be practicing hands-on data analysis skills that will be used in assessment. ﾠ

Please refer to MyTimetable for the most up-to-date timetable information. Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email the School of Social Science Administration Team at student.socsci@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details: full name, student ID, and course code. 

Aims and outcomes

This course aims at enhancing students' skills on the following areas of Applied Quantitative Research.

1. Foundational knowledge and application of key statistical concepts.

The course introduces and discusses important quantitative analytic techniques applied in contemporary Social Science research, and revises key ideas about introductory statistics dealt with in 'SOCY2339/7339 Introducing Quantitative Research'. This includes basic descriptive statistics for univariate and bivariate relationships, and foundational notions about how to draw inferences about a population of interest using a sample of it.

2. Reseach design for quantitative social science.ﾠ

Good quantitative research is based in theory and subject matter expertise - it is not a purely statistical endeavour. The course will introduce foundational ideas in research design that underpin quantitative social science, including an understanding of different research goals, study types, and tools to understand causality (experimentation, potential outcomes, and directed acyclic graphs). These conceptual tools will provide students with the ability to think clearly about a variety of research problems, critique quantitative research, and translate real-world understanding into compelling research design.ﾠ

3. Bivariate and multivariate linear regression models.

Regression is the most common technique for statistical analysis in Social Science research, and the 'bread and butter' for academic and professional researchers who rely on these methods. Regression models are formal mathematical representations of Social Science theories that can be used to empirically examine those theories. This section of the course focuses on how to use regression techniques for quantitative social research. It begins by discussing simple bivariate models used to ascertain relationships between only two variables, and then moves onto discus

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment details

In-class Exam

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

30%

Due date

14/08/2025 5:00 pm

This exam will be completed during Week 3 class time.

Other conditions

Secure.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02

Task description

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Submissions will be collected in class by the lecturer.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

You can request a deferred exam if you can provide evidence of unavoidable circumstances that prevented you from sitting your original exam at its scheduled date and time. Your application must include supporting evidence. The request will be assessed based on the evidence you provide when you apply. 

An application on the basis of a Student Access Plan (SAP) alone will not be accepted. If you are applying on medical grounds, a medical practitioner must assess your condition and provide a signed medical certificate that covers the day of the examination. You must obtain a medical certificate no later than two business days after the date of the original examination. Further details of acceptable evidence for deferred examination can be found here. 

For information on eligibility and application instructions, please view the following page on myUQ: Deferring an exam - my.UQ - University of Queensland 

Assignment 1

Mode

Written

Category

Computer Code, Paper/ Report/ Annotation

Weight

35%

Due date

25/09/2025 2:00 pm

Submit via Course Ultra (TurnItIn).

Learning outcomes

L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08

Task description

Submission guidelines

You must submit your assignment electronically by the due time, on the due date. 

Your assignment must be submitted via Turnitin on blackboard. To submit your assignment electronically log in to https://learn.uq.edu.au/ultra with your UQ username and password, then click on Course Code>>Assessment>>Assignments, and use the appropriate assignment submission link for each piece of assessment. No e-mailed submissions of assessments will be accepted. 

By uploading your assignment via Turnitin, you are certifying that the work you submit is your own work except where correctly attributed to another source. Do not submit your assignment if it contains any work that is not your own. 

You are required to retain proof of submission of your assessment. Your Digital Receipt is available for download from your Assignment Dashboard. If you cannot see your submission and download your digital receipt, your assessment has not been successfully submitted; please submit again.  

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with Blackboard, please contact the ITS Support Team. 

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Please note that from Semester 2, 2025 the Assessment Procedure has changed. You must submit a request for an extension as soon as it becomes clear you need an extension. Your request should be submitted no later than the assessment item's due date and time. 

The request must be accompanied by supporting documentation corroborating the reason for the request. A list of acceptable reasons for an extension and the evidence you must provide can be found here. Your request may be refused if you do not meet the acceptable reasons for an extension. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic. 

Students who are registered with Student Support and Wellbeing Services may apply for an extension without providing documentation. This extension request must be the student’s first extension request for the assessment item. If you proceed with an extension request based on your SAP, you will be ineligible to use your discretionary extension for the same assessment item. In the School of Social Science, extensions on the basis of an approved Student Access Plan (SAP) can be approved for a maximum period of 7 calendar days. Subsequent extensions for a piece of assessment will require students to provide their SAP along with additional supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate or other supporting evidence listed on my.UQ). 

A student is eligible for a discretionary extension for one assessment task per semester for a duration of 2 calendar days or less. A discretionary extension may only be used on a student’s first extension request for an assessment task.  

A student may have a maximum of 3 extension requests approved for a single assessment task. If a third extension is necessary, you must submit an Assessment Management Plan in addition to your supporting documentation with your request. In exceptional circumstances, a fourth extension may be requested through the grievance and appeals process. 

Extension requests exceeding the maximum extension period stated for a piece of assessment will only be considered under exceptional circumstances (circumstances outside of your control) with additional supporting documentation.  

Late applications must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date and time. The School of Social Science will not accept personal statements. 

Extension requests are processed and managed by the School of Social Science Administration Team. 

Extensions in your final semester of study could delay your graduation by up to one semester. 

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Work will not be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval. 

Assignment 2

Mode

Written

Category

Computer Code, Paper/ Report/ Annotation

Weight

35%

Due date

30/10/2025 2:00 pm

Submit via Course Ultra (TurnItIn).

Learning outcomes

L01, L03, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10

Task description

Submission guidelines

You must submit your assignment electronically by the due time, on the due date. 

Your assignment must be submitted via Turnitin on blackboard. To submit your assignment electronically log in to https://learn.uq.edu.au/ultra with your UQ username and password, then click on Course Code>>Assessment>>Assignments, and use the appropriate assignment submission link for each piece of assessment. No e-mailed submissions of assessments will be accepted. 

By uploading your assignment via Turnitin, you are certifying that the work you submit is your own work except where correctly attributed to another source. Do not submit your assignment if it contains any work that is not your own. 

You are required to retain proof of submission of your assessment. Your Digital Receipt is available for download from your Assignment Dashboard. If you cannot see your submission and download your digital receipt, your assessment has not been successfully submitted; please submit again.  

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with Blackboard, please contact the ITS Support Team. 

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Please note that from Semester 2, 2025 the Assessment Procedure has changed. You must submit a request for an extension as soon as it becomes clear you need an extension. Your request should be submitted no later than the assessment item's due date and time. 

The request must be accompanied by supporting documentation corroborating the reason for the request. A list of acceptable reasons for an extension and the evidence you must provide can be found here. Your request may be refused if you do not meet the acceptable reasons for an extension. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic. 

Students who are registered with Student Support and Wellbeing Services may apply for an extension without providing documentation. This extension request must be the student’s first extension request for the assessment item. If you proceed with an extension request based on your SAP, you will be ineligible to use your discretionary extension for the same assessment item. In the School of Social Science, extensions on the basis of an approved Student Access Plan (SAP) can be approved for a maximum period of 7 calendar days. Subsequent extensions for a piece of assessment will require students to provide their SAP along with additional supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate or other supporting evidence listed on my.UQ). 

A student is eligible for a discretionary extension for one assessment task per semester for a duration of 2 calendar days or less. A discretionary extension may only be used on a student’s first extension request for an assessment task.  

A student may have a maximum of 3 extension requests approved for a single assessment task. If a third extension is necessary, you must submit an Assessment Management Plan in addition to your supporting documentation with your request. In exceptional circumstances, a fourth extension may be requested through the grievance and appeals process. 

Extension requests exceeding the maximum extension period stated for a piece of assessment will only be considered under exceptional circumstances (circumstances outside of your control) with additional supporting documentation.  

Late applications must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date and time. The School of Social Science will not accept personal statements. 

Extension requests are processed and managed by the School of Social Science Administration Team. 

Extensions in your final semester of study could delay your graduation by up to one semester. 

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Work will not be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval. 

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Supplementary assessment is an additional opportunity to demonstrate that the learning requirements for an eligible course have been satisfied and that the graduate attributes for the course have been attained. Supplementary assessment may only be granted where Supplementary Assessment – procedures allow. A passing grade of 4 (or P) is the highest grade that can be awarded in a course where supplementary assessment has been granted. For further information on supplementary assessment please see my.UQ. 

Additional assessment information

Academic Integrity: All students must complete the Academic Integrity Modules https://www.uq.edu.au/integrity/ 

School Guide for Written Assessments: School of Social Science Guide for Written Assessments 

Release of Marks: The marks and feedback for assessments will be released to students in a timely manner, prior to the due date of the next assessment piece for the course. This is with the exception of the final piece of assessment. The marks and feedback for the final assessment item will only be made available to the student on the Finalisation of Grades date at the end of semester.  

Assessment Re-mark: For information on requesting an assessment re-mark, please view the following page on my.UQ: https://my.uq.edu.au/querying-result  

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.

Other course materials

Additional learning resources information

Further recommended readings may be added to Blackboard over the course of the semester. These recommended readings will be used to provide alternative explanations of the techniques covered throughout the course and to illustrate their practical applications.

Students must bring the following materials to all classes:

• The computer lab workbook (electronic access or print copy)
• The lecture notes.
• A personal laptop.

Please note that this class is not conducted in a computer lab. Therefore all students MUST bring their own device.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.