Statistics in Social Research (Theory)

Paper Code: 
25SOC322
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course provides exposure to the fundamentals of various quantitative research techniques and methods to organize and analyze the information gathered by them.

 

 

12.00
Course Outcomes: 

Course

Learning outcome

(at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course

Title

25SOC 322

Statistics in Social Research(Theory)

CO70: Interpret data through graphical representation and understand utility of statistics in social research

CO71:Calcultate proportions, percentage, ratios , measures of central tendency, dispersion and correlation

CO72: Use co-relation and regression for interpreting data

CO73: Apply parametric and non parametric tests on statistical distribution

CO74: Use SPSS for data analysis

CO75:  Contribute effectively in course specific interaction

Approach in teaching: Lecture and problem solving excersises  (Tool- Powerpoint Presentations)

Learning activities for the students:

Lectures and

Classroom discussions, solving statistical problems

Continuous Assessment test on the topic/quiz, student and assignments.

 

Unit I: 
Basic Concepts
  • Meaning functions and abuse of statistics in social research
  • Frequency distribution types and shapes of distribution
  • Graphic presentation of data-histogram, polygons and Bar Diagrams

 

12.00
Unit II: 
Proportions, Central Tendency, Range and Measures of Variation
  • Proportions, percentage and ratios
  • Measures of central tendency-mean, median and mode; criteria for selecting useful measure of central tendency
  • Range, quartile deviation, standard deviation and coefficient of variation; criteria for selecting useful variability measure.

 

 

12.00
Unit III: 
Correlation, Regression and Least Squares
  • Meaning, characteristics, assumptions and limitations simple correlation and regression analysis.
  • Concept of least squares and the lines of regression
  • Partial and multiple correlation and regression(applications only)

 

 

12.00
Unit IV: 
Hypothesis Testing
  • Testing statistical hypothesis-concept and procedure
  • Parametric and non-parametric tests of significance-chi-square test and t-test

 

12.00
Unit V: 
SPSS
  • Computer software for data analysis: Basics of SPSS, Use of SPSS in Social Science Research

 

 

Essential Readings: 
  • Gupta, S.P., 2014, (43 rd Edition).Statistical Methods, New Delhi: Sultan Chand and Sons.
  • Levin, J., 1983, Elementary Statistics in Social Research. New York: Harper & Row Publishers
  • Blaikie, N., 1993, Approaches to Social Enquiry, Cambridge: Policy Press,
  • Foster, J.J., 1998, Data Analysis Using SPSS for Windows: A Beginner's Guide, New Delhi: Sage Publications

 

References: 

SUGGESTED READINGS:

·        May, T., 1997, Social Research: Issues, Methods and Processes. Buckingham: Open University Press

·        Patton, M.Q., 1988, Qualitative Evaluation Methods. New Delhi: Sage Publications,

·        Reissman, Catherine K., 1994, Qualitative Studies in Social Work Research, New Delhi: Sage Publications.

·        Swartz, O., 1997, Conducting Socially Responsible Research, New Delhi: Sage Publications.

·        Ramachandran, P., 1990, Issues in Social Work Research in India, Bombay, Tata Institute of Social Sciences.

·        Society for Participatory Research in Asia, Participatory Research: An Introduction (Participatory Research Network series No. 3), New Delhi PRIA, 1995.

·        Wright, Susan E., 1986,  Social Science Statistics, Boston: Allyn & Bacon Inc.

·        Elifson et al. , 1990, Fundamentals of Social Statistics. McGraw Hill Publishing Co.

·        Ahuja. Ram., 2006, Research Methods, Jaipur: Rawat Publications.

·        Coolidge, Frederick L., (2000), Statistics : A Gentle Introduction, New Delhi: Sage Publications

·        Field, Andy., (2000), Discovering Statistics Using SPSS for Windows: Advanced Techniques for Beginning, New Delhi: Sage Publications

·        Jefferies, J. and Diamons, I., (2000), Beginning Statistics: An Introduction for Social Scientists, New Delhi: Sage Publications

 

e-RESOURCES:

·        https://www.jstor.org/stable/15610?seq=1

·        https://www.jstor.org/stable/26918415

 

JOURNALS:

·        Sociological Research, British Sociologial Association

·        Sankhaya: The Indian Journal of Statistics, Indian Statistical Institute

Journal of Statistics Education, American Statistical Association

Academic Session: 
2025-26
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