Quantitative Research Methodology for Social Sciences 2400-SZD-QPE-QRM

1. Introduction to science: What is scientific truth?
a. Induction and deduction
b. Empirical and logical evidence
c. Science goals: Description, Explanation, Prediction

2. Determinism and probability
a. Basic statistical terms.
b. Research as explaining the variance
c. Karl Popper and Parmenides actually

3. The logic of research process
a. From problem statement to conclusions

4. Problem statement
a. The variables space: dependent and independent variables
b. Mediators and moderators
c. Correlation and causative explanations

5. Hypotheses
a. Assumptions vs hypotheses
b. Elements of statistical inference theory
c. One-tail and Two-tail hypotheses
d. Conditions of proper hypotheses

6. Operationalization
a. Measurement and manipulation

7. Research planning
a. Effect size and test power
b. Sample representativeness
c. Analyses and conclusions

8. Measurement theory
a. Empirical and mathematical systems
b. Existence and uniqueness of measurement functions
c. Relationships between objects and their reproduction in mathematical systems
d. Measurement scales- nominal, ordinal and interval.

9. Classic psychometry
a. Reliability and error of measurement
b. Norming and standardization
c. Validity of measurement and validity of research plans

10. Item response theory
a. Basic principles
b. Examples

11. Psychophysiological methods in social research
a. Eyetracking
b. HR and HRV
c. GSR

12. Experimental schemas
a. Classic experimental setup
b. Reduced (without pretest or control group)
c. Latin Square

13. Errors in experiment planning
a. Internal validity of experimental setup
b. External validity

14. Introduction to big data analysis
a. Success stories and possibilities of non-responsive data analysis
b. Artifacts and how to avoid them

15. Ethics and Questionable research practices
a. Research on human subjects
b. QRP in data analyzing
c. Scientific publishing