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The aim is to teach students key quantitative methodological skills in social science research. For this purpose, it is necessary to research relevant sources, to formulate hypotheses, to operationalize them in a suitable form, to collect data, to evaluate these data statistically and finally to present them in an appealing form.

Project seminar with strong practical relevance. The planning and implementation of quantitative research projects includes aspects of the formulation of questions based on scientific theories and hypotheses, the description of the population, the correct sample construction, the choice of the survey procedure and the operationalization. Students are introduced to the topics of measurement, testing, definition of terms, and operationalization. Basics of descriptive statistics mainly concern the simple but correct preparation of survey data. In this context, special features of reporting, such as sample description, method description, but also the adequate creation, use and design of tables and graphs, are also covered.

In the course of the seminar an own survey project will be implemented. The topic can be chosen by the students themselves. The practical part ensures the immediate implementation of what has been learned in practice and provides a framework for selected and clearly defined work assignments. In the process, a small but high-quality research report including introduction, description of methods, description and discussion of results is to be prepared.

The seminar paper including the presentation of the results and a presentation including the skillful defense in front of a critical audience towards the end of the course constitute the proof of performance and form, in addition to attendance and personal commitment, the basis for the assessment. The individual performances within the project groups must remain comprehensible. The personal experiences in the context of this project work are to be described in short form and under specification of explicit criteria.

Bortz, Jürgen & Döring, Nicola (2015): Forschungsmethoden und Evaluation für Human und Sozialwissenschaftler. 5. Auflage. Springer Verlag.

Hug, Theo & Poscheschnik, Gerald (2020): Empirisch Forschen. 3. Auflage. UVK Verlag.

Porst, Rolf (2013): Fragebogen – Ein Arbeitsbuch. 4. Auflage. Springer Verlag.

Moosbrugger, Helfried & Kelava, Augustin (2020): Testtheorie und Fragebogenkonstruktion. 3. Auflage. Springer Verlag.