2026
Methods and Techniques of Quantitative Research
Name: Methods and Techniques of Quantitative Research
Code: SOC13294D
8 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/224 hours
Scientific Area:
Sociologia e Ciências Sociais
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
Knowledge and understanding of the principles and applications of the quantitative methods and techniques more currently used in sociological research.
Ability to choose among quantitative methods and techniques, minding the research objectives and the empirical data to be/already collected.
Ability to interpret critically the results of different methods and techniques in published sociological research.
Ability to choose among quantitative methods and techniques, minding the research objectives and the empirical data to be/already collected.
Ability to interpret critically the results of different methods and techniques in published sociological research.
Contents
1. Kinds of data and measurement scales
2. Sampling
a. representativeness
b. kinds of samples
c. sampling error
3. Descriptive statistics
a. graphic representation
b. frequency and contingency tables
c. central tendency measures
d. dispersion measures
e. normal distribution
4. Chi-squared independence test (hypotheses testing)
5. Association measures
6. Correlation coefficients
7. Tests to the comparison of means: t test for independent samples
8. Variance analysis: one-factor ANOVA
9. Multiple | multilevel multiple regression
10. Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA)
11. Multidimensional Scaling (MDS)
12. Principal Components Analysis (PCA)
13. Structural Equations Models (SEM)
2. Sampling
a. representativeness
b. kinds of samples
c. sampling error
3. Descriptive statistics
a. graphic representation
b. frequency and contingency tables
c. central tendency measures
d. dispersion measures
e. normal distribution
4. Chi-squared independence test (hypotheses testing)
5. Association measures
6. Correlation coefficients
7. Tests to the comparison of means: t test for independent samples
8. Variance analysis: one-factor ANOVA
9. Multiple | multilevel multiple regression
10. Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA)
11. Multidimensional Scaling (MDS)
12. Principal Components Analysis (PCA)
13. Structural Equations Models (SEM)
Teaching Methods
Example-driven taught classes; practical exercises performed or corrected in class, including analysis and critical interpretation of published results and the discussion of hypothetical choices aiming at given research objectives.
Learning assessment proceeds on two items:
1) One 8 to 10-page written essay (60%)
2) In-class presentation and discussion of said essay (40%)
The essay will be written on a scientific book or paper chosen by the student, which meets the following requirements:
a) it must follow quantitative methodology;
b) it must employ at least two of the techniques taught in class.
The essay shall focus on the methodological component, relating it with the scientific object.
Learning assessment proceeds on two items:
1) One 8 to 10-page written essay (60%)
2) In-class presentation and discussion of said essay (40%)
The essay will be written on a scientific book or paper chosen by the student, which meets the following requirements:
a) it must follow quantitative methodology;
b) it must employ at least two of the techniques taught in class.
The essay shall focus on the methodological component, relating it with the scientific object.
Accreditations and Certifications
