Quantitative Research

A Review of the Relevant Merits and Disadvantages of the Current Assessment Methods used in the Photography BTEC Extended Diploma Course

by Ben Macloughlin

This paper explores the current assessment method used in a Photography BTEC course. It reveals the role of formative... more This paper explores the current assessment method used in a Photography BTEC course. It reveals the role of formative and summative assessment methods in Photography. It identifies the differences between the use of sketchbooks, PowerPoint and blogs to track learner progress and for receiving feedback. The research takes into account the views of the learners and their tutors and offers an insight into teaching and learning styles. The aim of the paper is to discover which assessment method best suits Photography and can possibly raise the standards of teaching and learning in the UK.

Calculating the Middle Ages? Quantitative Research and Social Network Analysis as New Tools for Historical Studies

by Johannes Preiser-Kapeller

Guest Lectures at the Romanian Academy of Sciences, Calea Victoriei, 125, Bucharest, Council Room (Ground-floor), Wednesday, 18th of January 2012, 10.00, Slides online: http://oeaw.academia.edu/JohannesPreiserKapeller/Talks/71263/Calculating_the_Middle_Ages_Quantitative_Research_and_Social_Network_Analysis_as_New_Tools_for_Historical_Studies

Overview on the possibilities of quantitative research and Network Analysis for Medieval Studies.

Three... more Overview on the possibilities of quantitative research and Network Analysis for Medieval Studies.

Three main focuses:
* Quantitative data from the natural sciences: climatic and natural phenomena

* Quantitative data from medieval sources: economic and demographic quantities

* The complexity of medieval societies: social network analysis on the basis of medieval sources

Conclusio:
* Complexity allows us to establish a framework for comparative research across time and space > the patterns of interaction between environment and society and within societies are and were always complex.
* We can analyse how similar crisis phenomena influenced the development of societies with different (or similar) traditions, religions, institutions, geographies or ecologies > differences matter!
* At the same time, we do not  loose track of essential commonalities (the “strange parallels”) of environmental impacts and historical change in pre-modern societies.
* We recognize the high significance of endogenous social dynamics in the polities in this period, on which exogenous changes (such as climatic) and extreme events had an impact, but not along the lines of an overwhelming linear causation as postulated in (older and) recent research.

Tamas Keller - Intra-Generational Social Class Mobility in Hungary Between 1992 and 2007 - the Role of Self-Confidence

by TARKI Social Research Institute

Polish Sociological Review
3(175)’11
ISSN 1231 – 1413

This paper analyses the intra-generational social class mobility in Hungary between 1992 and 2007 using Hungarian... more This paper analyses the intra-generational social class mobility in Hungary between 1992 and 2007 using Hungarian panel data.

Evaluating Performance Improvement through Repeated Measures: A Primer for Educators Considering Univariate and Multivariate Designs

by Kim Nimon

Improving the quality of quantitative research reports: A call for action

by Kim Nimon

Le Déclin Des Centres-Villes: Mythe Ou Réalité?

by Caroline Chapain

Co-authored with Mario Polese.

The movement of economic activity to the suburbs is well documented for North American cities. However, does this... more The movement of economic activity to the suburbs is well documented for North American cities. However, does this necessarily mean the death of downtowns and of centrality? After reviewing relevant literature, we carry out an analysis for 32 metropolitan areas for the period 1980-1995, based on the postulate that the ratio (downtown/suburbs) of prices for comparable office space is a good indicator of centrality. We do not observe a generalized tendency towards downtown decline. Prices in downtown generally remain higher, even where important secondary centers are present. We observe major differences between cities and regions, specifically between Canadian and U.S. cities.

Forecasting Software Development Work Effort: Introduction

by J Armstrong

This paper was published in the International Journal of Forecasting.

An analysis of a study by Jørgensen on the effectiveness of forecasting models. An analysis of a study by Jørgensen on the effectiveness of forecasting models.

Measuring the Muslim: about Statistical Obsessions, Categorizations and the Quantification of Religion

by Riem Spielhaus

in: Jørgen S. Nielsen, Samim Akgönül, Ahmet Alibašić, Brigitte Maréchal, Christian Moe (eds.). Yearbook of Muslims in Europe 2010. Brill: Leiden.Yearbook of Muslims in Europe 2010. Brill: Leiden. 2011, pp. 437-455.

Basic Statistics for Research

by Tanveer Hussain

Research Design

by Tanveer Hussain

Calculating and graphing within-subject confidence intervals for ANOVA

by Thom Baguley

Official/complete version:

Baguley, T. (2012). Calculating and graphing within-subject confidence intervals for ANOVA. Behavior Research Methods, 44, 158-175.

The psychological and statistical literature contains several proposals for calculating and plotting confidence... more The psychological and statistical literature contains several proposals for calculating and plotting confidence intervals for within-subject (repeated measures) ANOVA designs. A key distinction is between intervals supporting inference about patterns of means (and differences between pairs of means in particular) and those supporting individual means. It is argued that the former are best accomplished by adapting intervals proposed by Cousineau (2005) and Morey (2008) so that non-overlapping confidence intervals for individual means correspond to a confidence for their difference that does not include zero. The latter can be accomplished by fitting a multilevel model. In situations where both types of inference are of interest, the use of a two-tiered CI is recommended. Free open-source, cross-platform software for these interval estimates and plots (and for some common alternatives) is provided in the form of R functions for one-way within-subject and two-way mixed ANOVA designs. These functions provide an easy to use solution to the difficult problem of calculating and displaying within-subject confidence intervals.

QQML 2009 International Conference: Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Libraries

by Teresa Welsh

Purpose – This review reports on the first Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Libraries International Conference... more Purpose – This review reports on the first Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Libraries International Conference held in Chania, Crete, Greece.

Design/methodology/approach – The methodological approach is anthropological participant observation.

Findings – Approximately 150 attendees from 50 different countries participated and exchanged ideas, methodologies, and techniques related to library research.

Practical implications – Presentation of research related to various types of libraries is a way to disseminate research results as well as promote and stimulate further research.

Originality/value – There is a need to expand the body of both qualitative and quantitative LIS research related to library research, particularly the evaluation of library services.

Culture and competencies of Romany (Gypsies) children in the field of health, hygiene and the care of others

by Monika Krajčovičová

Published in: “СОВРЕМЕННЫЕ ЕНДЕНЦИИ КОНСТРУИРОВАНИЯ
ПЕРСОНОГЕНЕТИЧЕСКОГО НАРРАТИВА НА ОСНОВЕ ЗЛЕМЕНТОВ СОЦИОГЕНЕТИЧЕСКОГО ФЕНОМЕНА“. BOGOMAZ, S. L. pod obshej redakciji: Sovremenyje tendencii konstruirovanija personogeneticheskogo narrativa na osnove elementov sociogeneticheskogo fenomena. Nauchnoje izdanije z mezhdunarodnoj nauchnoj konferenciji: Problemy organizaciji roboty s rozlichnymi kategorijami detej i molodezhi. Vitebck: UO, VGU im. P. M. Masherova, 2009, p. 101-105. ISBN 978-985-517-168-4

This article talks about the cultural features of the Slovak Romany (Gypsy) community and about the development of... more This article talks about the cultural features of the Slovak Romany (Gypsy) community and about the development of young Romany children’s competencies within the Romany family, in the field of health, personal hygiene and the care of others. They can be divided into three subcategories of competencies: 1. The personal hygiene of oneself and of one’s own health, 2. Caring towards others, 3. The treatment of others. Knowing the subcategories of competencies should help us understand the culture of the Romany community, eliminate the misunderstandings between the majority and the minority and meet the fulfillment of successful adaptation between Romany and non Romany pupils in the education system.
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This article describes the partial results of the long life field research, made in terms of the author’s PhD. thesis within the realization of the project VEGA 1/4529/07 ”Adaptívne schopnosti a kompetencie rómskych detí“/"The Adaptive Abilities and Competencies of the Romany Children"

Cultural particularities of adaptive abilities and competences of Romany (Gypsy) children

by Monika Krajčovičová

Published in: The first international congress of educational research "Trends and issues of educational research". Turkey, Canakkale, 1.-3. May 2009. ISBN 978-605-60682-1-8

The topic of this article covers cultural particularities of adaptive abilities and competences of Romany children of... more The topic of this article covers cultural particularities of adaptive abilities and competences of Romany children of younger school age as the basis for elementary school education in Slovakia. The presented article consists of a theoretical and a research part. The main theoretical points of the thesis are based on the research key terms, which are used in the formulation of the surveyed problem. These are defined in details in particular chapters of the mentioned theoretical part of the dissertation thesis. The goal of the thesis research was to gain information – by qualitative and quantitative research methods – about cultural specific features of family education in Roma children, cultural particularities and attitudes of Roma parents to school attendance of children, about adaptive abilities and competences of a Roma child that are preferred in family and community, differences in the parents’ demands on adaptive abilities and competences of a Roma child in relation to the child’s gender and age, to the gender and educational level of the parent, to the Roma sub-group (Rumunger and Hungarian Roma), to the social and economical level of the family and the type of community. We suppose that the gained data can be a relevant basis for educational processes in the field of elementary education of Romany pupils and an inspiration for those, who participate in any way, in designing educational materials for Romany pupils.
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This article describes the partial results of the long life field research, made in terms of the author’s PhD. thesis within the realization of the project VEGA 1/4529/07 ”Adaptívne schopnosti a kompetencie rómskych detí“/"The Adaptive Abilities and Competencies of the Romany Children".

For Historians: Collaborative Research Guidelines

by J. B. (Jack) Owens

Historians lack an adequate research infrastructure to support collaborative research, which is becoming more common... more Historians lack an adequate research infrastructure to support collaborative research, which is becoming more common in the discipline. Moreover, in the broad area of Digital History, historians are collaborating more often with those in other disciplines. To avoid misunderstandings, which can destroy collaboration, historians require adequate guidelines about key areas, such as joint publication and data sharing. As a basis for discussion by professional history associations, I propose such standards.

Disability, Illness, Online Interaction & Quality of Life

by Josephine Barnett

Masters Thesis

For Full Text, e-mail me @ joabarnett@gmail.com

Secondary analysis using Pew Research Center December 2008 Health questionnaire. This study examines how the... more Secondary analysis using Pew Research Center December 2008 Health questionnaire. This study examines how the interaction between online services and disability or illness impacts quality of life. Due to social stigma associated with illness and disability, those living with such condition often experience a lower quality of life. Since social interaction, disability and illness are proven to be strong indicators of quality of life, I consider the extent to which social interaction in the form of various Internet activities impact quality of life.

Online interaction is explored as 4 dimensions: general Internet use, health related online support interaction, online social network use, and health information seeking participation. These components were examined in relation to disability and illness separately. The final model includes all online interaction dimensions, disability, and illness as predictors for quality of life. Results indicate, while controlling for Internet participation, age, education, race/ethnicity and martial status, illness and disability continue to predict lower quality of life. Furthermore, results reveal that, while controlling for age, education, race/ethnicity and martial status, illness and disability, general Internet use is a relatively strong predictor for higher quality of life. In sum, results shed light on the potential internet-use has in increasing the quality of life of those living with illness and/or disability.

Uprichard, E ., Burrows, R. and Byrne, D. (2008) ‘SPSS as an ‘Inscription Device’: From causality to description?’ Sociological Review: Anniversary Issue – From causality to description, 56(4): 606 – 622.

by Emma Uprichard

This paper examines the development of SPSS from 1968 to 2008, and the manner in which it has been used in teaching... more This paper examines the development of SPSS from 1968 to 2008, and the manner in which it has been used in teaching and research in British Sociology. We do this in order to reveal some of the changes that have taken place in statistical reasoning as an inscription device in the discipline over this period. We conclude that to characterise these changes as a shift from ‘causal’ to more ‘descriptive’ modes of analysis is too simplistic. Such a shift is certainly apparent, but it meshes in complex ways with a range of other – just as important – changes, that together mark a phase-shift in the functioning of sociological quantification.

Local authority progress on climate change

by Andrew Wallace

MSc dissertation 2002

This report relates to research as to the progress that local authorities in England and Wales are making on climate... more This report relates to research as to the progress that local authorities in England and Wales are making on climate change. It begins with an examination of the available academic and other publications on the subject of local authorities and climate change, and to some extent related environmental and sustainability issues where these can provide insight for the ‘greenhouse’ situation. Literature on the subject of surveys and questionnaires is also reviewed.

A survey has been conducted in 2002 to support the research. A survey which preceded it, in 2000, is examined, beginning with a critique of the questionnaire, followed by an analysis of the results (by local authority type).

An account is then given of how the 2002 survey questions was generated as a cooperative effort between the Local Government Association (LGA), the Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development (IESD) and the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA).The generation of the paper (postal) and web (internet) version is described.

Results from the 2002 survey are examined in two ways. Firstly the results are compared with those from the 2000 survey, where questions are common to both, in order to measure progress. Bearing in mind the limitations of the samples, this gives a mixed but overall somewhat positive picture. Secondly, the 2002 responses are examined on their own, with particular attention given to the potential barriers that prevent local authorities from making progress on climate protection.

Analysis of the results leads to observations relating to cooperation between departments within councils and between councils within regions, the level at which most barriers manifest themselves, the need for expansion of training programmes such as the CCP (Councils for Climate Protection) Pilot, and the need for general information to help the public and small businesses understand the climate change issue more.

Reducing Carbon Emissions by Households: The Effects of Footprinting and Personal Allowances

by Andrew Wallace

PhD thesis, May 2009, De Montfort University. Socio-technical research. There's lots of interest for those interested in household energy efficiency.

[Also available at: https://www.dora.dmu.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/2086/2402 ( the university's website). On the bottom right of the university's webpage, there is a link called 'View / Open'. If you click it, it will download a PDF version of the document].
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Nearly half of Britain’s carbon dioxide emissions result from the activity of households, both within the home and... more Nearly half of Britain’s carbon dioxide emissions result from the activity of households, both within the home and from personal transport. This research examines how the carbon dioxide emissions of households can be reduced, particularly through the calculation of carbon footprints and testing the public’s reaction to the concept of personal carbon allowances (PCAs). Two data collection stages were used - a postal survey providing quantitative data, followed by semi-structured interviews producing mainly qualitative data. The research was carried out in a largely rural district which is run by a council noted for its work on sustainable energy, Newark and Sherwood. The survey looked at PCAs as well as a variety of contemporary issues that might influence household footprints such as energy efficiency grants and information, as well as relationships with gas and electricity suppliers. Each interview involved the calculation of a household carbon footprint, the identification of measures to reduce it, and the gathering of attitudes about personal carbon allowances, in order to identify challenges and opportunities with respect to reducing household carbon emissions. Support for PCAs was higher than anticipated, and tended to be associated with those who were prepared to use public transport or cycle more, or were supportive of renewable energy in homes. Interviewees had much to say about individual carbon reducing measures. Opposition was associated with those who envisaged that they would be unlikely to sell carbon units. Regarding personal transport, long commutes were common, and the cost of public transport was of concern. Specific findings were made about domestic heating, insulation, lighting, refrigeration, water use, commuting, public transport, and rail as an alternative to short-haul flights. There was more interest in monetary savings than carbon savings. Recommendations about policy and regarding further research are made.

Climate change - a survey of local authorities

by Andrew Wallace

Local Government Association - Research briefing 19 - November 2002

This research project was carried out in partnership by the Local Government Association (LGA), Improvement and... more This research project was carried out in partnership by the Local Government Association (LGA), Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) and De Montfort University. The aim of the survey was to get a comprehensive picture of how local authorities are making progress on climate change work. A postal questionnaire was sent out to all 410 local authorities in England and Wales in June 2002. Subsequent reminders were sent out during the autumn of 2002. By the end of the fieldwork, 207 local authorities in England and Wales had responded - a response rate of 51 per cent. • The survey showed that only seven per cent of local authorities in the UK and Wales have developed a climate change strategy. However, nearly half of the respondents stated that their strategy was under consideration (Table 3); • the majority of councils (68 per cent) had not considered the effects climate change will have on them or how to address them (Table 5); • only 34 per cent of councils had set an emissions reduction target for their emissions and only 25 per cent had set a target for reduction of community-wide emissions (Table 7); • one-third of councils had produced their community strategy and the remaining two-thirds planned to have their strategies published by 31 March 2003 (Table 4). Only nine per cent had considered measures to tackle greenhouse gas emissions to a considerable extent in their community strategy, but the majority (45 per cent) had considered them to some extent (Table 15); • nearly four-fifths of councils say that insufficient staff or staff time is the major barrier to them making progress on climate change issues, nearly as many authorities (71 per cent) mention 'other priorities taking higher priority in the council', and the third most significant barrier cited by more than half of all councils was 'lack of funding' (Table 16); • nearly three-quarters of councils say they need extra help, support and training to enable them to produce a climate change strategy (Table 17); • only two-fifths of councils (41 per cent) have an up-to-date energy policy (Table 20a); • over half of councils (55 per cent) buy a proportion of green electricity which exceeds the current three per cent level of the generation mix set out by the government. With 12 per cent obtaining more than 80 per cent of their electricity from green sources (Table 22); • less than a fifth of councils have access to energy consumption data for their areas, from utility companies (Table 28); and • four-fifths of local authority chief executives (82 per cent) feel that they are informed about climate change, at least to some extent. Only five per cent of local authority chief executives consider that their authority is not tackling climate change at all. However the majority (54 per cent) felt they were tackling climate change to a small extent (Table 30).