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.
Este curso faz parte do Programa de cursos integrados Methods and Statistics in Social Sciences
Quantitative Methods
oferecido por
Programa - O que você aprenderá com este curso
Semana
1Before 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 still deciding whether this is the course for you? Then make sure to check out the 'Introduction' and 'What to expect' section below, so you'll have the essential information you need to decide and to do well in this course! If you have any questions about the course format, deadlines or grading, you'll probably find the answers here. Are you a Coursera veteran and anxious to get started? Then you might want to skip ahead to the first course topic: the Origins of the Scientific Method. You can always check the general information later. Veterans and newbies alike: Don't forget to introduce yourself in the 'meet and greet' forum!
2 vídeos (total de (Total 6 mín.) min), 9 leituras
9 leituras
Hi there!10min
How to navigate this course10min
How to contribute10min
General info - What will I learn in this course?10min
Course format - How is this course structured?10min
Requirements - What resources do I need?10min
Grading - How do I pass this course?10min
Contact - How do I stay informed?10min
Team - Who created this course?10min
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 something? In science we try to resolve these questions by using a set of principles and procedures called the scientific method. You need to know its historical and philosophical 'origin story' to really understand the scientific method and to fully appreciate how hard it is to apply the scientific method in the social and behavioral sciences!
14 vídeos (total de (Total 85 mín.) min), 9 leituras, 2 testes
14 videos
1.02 Scientific Method8min
1.03 Scientific Claims5min
1.04 Classical Period8min
1.05 Enlightenment6min
1.06 Modern Science7min
1.07 Epistemology4min
1.08 Ontology5min
1.09 Approaches7min
1.10 Goals5min
Origins - Interview - Gerben Moerman (Part 1 of 4)3min
Origins - Interview - Gerben Moerman (Part 2 of 4)2min
Origins - Interview - Gerben Moerman (Part 3 of 4)8min
Origins - Interview - Gerben Moerman (Part 4 of 4)7min
9 leituras
What makes knowledge scientific?10min
What are the essential qualities of a systematic method?10min
What's the difference between a hypothesis and a theory?10min
Who developed the scientific method and when?10min
What is your philosophy of science?10min
Do you prefer your science hard or soft?10min
Honor Code - Integrity in this course10min
Transcripts: Origins10min
About the interview10min
1 exercício prático
Origins20min
Semana
2The 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 the empirical cycle and causality in more detail. We’ll see how, and in what order these concepts are implemented when we conduct a research study. We'll also consider the main criteria for evaluating the methodological quality of a research study: Validity and reliability. The focus will be on internal validity and how internal validity can be threatened.
13 vídeos (total de (Total 68 mín.) min), 8 leituras, 3 testes
13 videos
2.02 (Dis)confirmation4min
2.03 Criteria5min
2.04 Causality3min
2.05 Internal Validity Threats: Participants4min
2.06 Internal Validity Threats: Instruments5min
2.07 Internal Validity Threats: Artificiality5min
2.08 Internal Validity Threats: Research setup5min
2.09 Variables of Interest4min
2.10 Variables of Disinterest5min
Scientific Method - Interview - Marjan Bakker (Part 1 of 3)5min
Scientific Method - Interview - Marjan Bakker (Part 2 of 3)5min
Scientific Method - Interview - Marjan Bakker (Part 3 of 3)6min
8 leituras
What would be your 'recipe' for the scientific method?10min
What will it take for you to accept a hypothesis?10min
What do you look for in a good research study?10min
How do you identify what caused an effect?10min
What makes a causal explanation less likely?10min
What different relations and roles can variables have?10min
Transcripts: Scientific Method10min
About the interview10min
2 exercícios práticos
Informed Consent Form2min
Scientific Method20min
Semana
3Research 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 threats to internal validity. We'll look at experimental, quasi-experimental and correlational designs, as well as some other designs you should be familiar with. To understand and appreciate these designs we will discuss some general concepts such as randomization and matching in a little more detail.
15 vídeos (total de (Total 74 mín.) min), 8 leituras, 2 testes
15 videos
3.02 Factorial Designs3min
3.03 Repeated Measures3min
3.04 Manipulation5min
3.05 Lab vs. Field5min
3.06 Randomization6min
3.07 Experimental Designs4min
3.08 Matching6min
3.09 Quasi-Experimental Designs6min
3.10 Correlational Designs4min
3.11 Other Designs3min
Research Designs - Interview - Maarten Bos (Part 1 of 4)5min
Research Designs - Interview - Maarten Bos (Part 2 of 4)6min
Research Designs - Interview - Maarten Bos (Part 3 of 4)4min
Research Designs - Interview - Maarten Bos (Part 4 of 4)3min
8 leituras
What are the essential features of a true experiment?10min
What are other ways of comparing?10min
How do manipulation and control work (in the lab vs the field)?10min
What experimental designs can you think of?10min
What if you cannot assign randomly?10min
What if you can't manipulate either?10min
Transcripts: Research Designs10min
About the interview10min
1 exercício prático
Research Designs22min
Semana
4Measurement
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 to perform a true double-blind experiment, if our measurement and manipulation method are of poor quality, then internal validity will still be compromised!
In this module we'll look at what measurement is exactly and what the criteria for evaluating measurement are. We will also look more in-depth at self-report measures, including survey, questionnaires and tests. These methods are among the most frequently used measurement instruments in the social and behavioral sciences.
14 vídeos (total de (Total 71 mín.) min), 6 leituras, 2 testes
14 videos
4.02 Measurement Structure4min
4.03 Measurement Levels5min
4.04 Variable Types4min
4.05 Measurement Validity5min
4.06 Measurement Reliability5min
4.07 Survey, Questionnaire, Test4min
4.08 Scales and Response Options5min
4.09 Response and Rater Bias4min
4.10 Other Measurement Types4min
Measurement - Interview - Andries van der Ark (Part 1 of 4)5min
Measurement - Interview - Andries van der Ark (Part 2 of 4)3min
Measurement - Interview - Andries van der Ark (Part 3 of 4)8min
Measurement - Interview - Andries van der Ark (Part 4 of 4)3min
6 leituras
How do you measure something?10min
What is measurement exactly?10min
How do you know whether you have used the right instrument?10min
How are measures constructed and what are their features?10min
Transcripts: Measurement10min
About the interview10min
1 exercício prático
Measurement20min
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Melhores avaliações
por LG•Jan 5th 2018
This course was excellent in all aspects, including the interesting and extensive material, as well as Dr. Annemarie Zand Scholten's brilliant lectures that help students digest and enjoy the content.
por AL•May 8th 2018
It is well-structured and informative. The pop up questions are interactive and the animation is fun. I have learned a lot from the video instruction, recommended readings, and assignments. Thanks.
Instrutores
Annemarie Zand Scholten
Assistant ProfessorEconomics and Business
Sobre 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.
Sobre o Programa de cursos integrados Methods and Statistics in Social Sciences
Identify interesting questions, analyze data sets, and correctly interpret results to make solid, evidence-based decisions.
This Specialization covers research methods, design and statistical analysis for social science research questions. In the final Capstone Project, you’ll apply the skills you learned by developing your own research question, gathering data, and analyzing and reporting on the results using statistical methods.
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