[Please forward to colleagues who might be interested]
The 5* University of Surrey Department of Sociology offers a regular
series of one day courses on research methods in the social sciences
for professional and postgraduate researchers.
The Spring courses are listed below. Further details and a booking
form are available on the web at:
http://www.soc.surrey.ac.uk/daycourses/dcindex.html
or contact Elizabeth Stutchbury on 01 483 689458 <mailto:
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The cost is £120 per day course (£100 for education and charities; £20
stand-by places for full-time PhD students).
The cost of the 2-day course is £200 (£180 for education and charities; £20 per day for full-time PhD students)
Introduction to Focus Groups
Ann Cronin
Wednesday, 22 January, 10.30 - 17.00
This course is an introduction to the methods involved in organising
and conducting focus groups and in managing and interpreting the data
they generate. It covers planning, developing questions, moderating,
analysing and reporting focus group results. The course also provides
the opportunity for participants to experience being a member of a
focus group. This course is designed for those people who have little
or no experience of running focus groups.
Roger Tarling
Research Management
Wednesday, 26 March, 10.30 - 17.00
This course is for researchers who are beginning to assume greater
responsibility for managing projects. It will identify the issues and
problems which may arise in developing and conducting a research
project, including relationships with sponsors and funders, planning
and resource management, negotiating access, report writing and
dissemination.
Qualitative Data Analysis, Methods and Software tools
Ann Lewins and Christina Silver
Tuesday and Wednesday, 8 - 9 April, 10.30 - 17.00
This two day course addresses current methodological issues in
qualitative data analysis. It provides an introduction to analysing
qualitative data, drawing on multi-disciplinary strategies and
exploring the methods and processes of different perspectives. It
considers the ways in which the tools provided by a range of CAQDAS
software packages can be used to assist the various steps taken in
analysing qualitative data. The two days consist of a combination of
presentations, discussions and practical work-shops, and is designed
for researchers and postgraduate students.
Note: the course can only be taken as a two day unit.
Attitudes and How to Measure Them
Patrick Sturgis
Wednesday 7 May, 10.30 - 17.00
This one day course will provide an overview of theories of the
attitude, drawing on research traditions in psychology, sociology and
political science. Empirical approaches to attitude measurement and
ways of assessing the validity and reliability of attitudinal data will
be reviewed. Issues in attitude scale construction such as the optimal
number of response alternatives, the provision of middle and don't know
options and response sets will be discussed. The course will finish
with a practical session in the computer laboratory using coefficient
Alpha to assess scale reliability.
Designing Samples for Surveys
Sara Arber
Wednesday 14 May, 10.30 - 17.00
The aims of probability and purposive sampling will be contrasted. The
procedures of Simple Random Sampling, Stratified (proportionate and
disproportionate), Cluster (multi-stage) Sampling and Quota Sampling
will be examined, including the standard errors, costs and resources
associated with each. Sampling frames and procedures for minimising
non-response will be discussed.
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