SCS3031   How to lie with statistics   (20 credits)

Description

The course will critically assess the uses of statistics and statistical indicators both in the media and sociological academic literature. This unit also expands the previous quantitative modules to include an introduction to multivariate statistics. This will incorporate Ordinary Least Squares regression and a brief overview of other regression techniques used in social sciences. Students will become familiar with the key role that secondary data analysis now plays in sociology and social policy. Students will work in groups and undertake a small secondary data analysis project of their own devising using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).

Reading List