Introduction to Quantitative Research and Analysis

This course provides training in how to conduct quantitative research and will encompass a range of skills from developing a quantitative project from an initial idea through to how to safely report statistical results. It will also equip participants with the skills necessary to plan the key elements of a quantitative project, scope suitable data, and demonstrate how it could be analysed to meet their specific research needs.

Course Objectives 

By the end of the course, you will be able to: 

• Understand what quantitative research is and the core statistical foundations that underpin quantitative analysis. 
• Plan and effectively conduct quantitative research by being able to move from an initial idea through to its operationalisation as a research project. 
• Report their own quantitative analysis safely and accurately as well as critically engage with and pull insight from other quantitative research.

Topics 

The course covers:

• What is quantitative social research? 
• Developing and operationalising research questions for a quantitative project.
• What are the key stages of conducting a quantitative research project? 
• Using primary and secondary data. 
• Statistical foundations that underpin quantitative research. 
• Reporting quantitative results.

Who will benefit?

You will find the course useful if:

• You are new to quantitative research, and you would like to equip yourself with the foundational skills to be able to engage with and conduct quantitative social research in the future.
• You engage with quantitative data or analysis in your role and would like to maximise the opportunities and insight that could be gained from that data.
• You would like to start using different types of quantitative analysis and would like to develop a strong foundation in quantitative and analytical research skills that can be developed further.

No prior knowledge is needed for this course and there are no pre-requisites in terms of research training, statistics, or research software. Additionally, the skills learned are applicable to a number of fields and research interests, the training itself will draw upon many examples of NatCen’s own research across several areas. 

Learning outcomes

By the end of the training participants will be able to:

• Explain what quantitative research is and when it is in/appropriate to use.
• Create one or more research questions that are suitable to a quantitative research project.
• List the key elements and stages of conducting a quantitative research project.
• Scope suitable secondary data sources to answer research questions using the UK Data Service.
• Explain the foundations of Statistical Analysis and what inference can be gained from certain results.

• Determine the best method for reporting quantitative results, ensuring results are accurate and non-disclosive.