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Welcome to the vhb course "Data Collection Methods in the Social and Behavioral Sciences".
Before you start, please have a look at the "Organization" section. There you will find information on the course content and outline, on communication and support, on the different types of examination, and on further organizational details.
We wish you a good time and success in getting to know the different data collection methods!
Prof. Dr. Klaus Moser, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
Prof. Dr. Cynthia Sende, Hof University of Applied Sciences
Before you start, please have a look at the "Organization" section. There you will find information on the course content and outline, on communication and support, on the different types of examination, and on further organizational details.
We wish you a good time and success in getting to know the different data collection methods!
Prof. Dr. Klaus Moser, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
Prof. Dr. Cynthia Sende, Hof University of Applied Sciences
ORGANIZATION
Content and outline of the course
This course is an introduction that primarily aims at acquainting you with different methods and their foundations.
Objectives:
- Preparation for the collection and/or analysis of primary data when working on a scientific research project (e.g. your thesis).
- Preparation for the application of data collection methods in your future professional life.
Course content:
The course includes three sessions on background and basics (parts I and III) plus eight on different data collection methods (part II). Each of the eight sessions on data collection methods includes:
- Theoretical foundations of the method
- Advantages and limitations; when is it appropriate to use the method?
- How to proceed and what to consider when using the method in science and practice
- Where to find further information on the method
Course outline:
I. Background
I.1 Basics of data collection in the social and behavioral sciences
I.2 The process of empirical research
I.1 Basics of data collection in the social and behavioral sciences
I.2 The process of empirical research
II. Data collection methods in theory and practice
II.1 Interview and survey, part 1
II.2 Interview and survey, part 2
II.3 Rating, judging, comparing
II.4 Psychological testing, part 1
II.5 Psychological testing, part 2
II.6 Observation and simulation
II.7 Unobtrusive measures
II.8 Physiological measures
II.1 Interview and survey, part 1
II.2 Interview and survey, part 2
II.3 Rating, judging, comparing
II.4 Psychological testing, part 1
II.5 Psychological testing, part 2
II.6 Observation and simulation
II.7 Unobtrusive measures
II.8 Physiological measures
III. Legal and ethical aspects
Course schedule
The course is designed like a weekly lecture, so you should need eleven weeks to complete all eleven sessions. However, you are free to allot time to it as it suits you, since all sessions are available from the beginning.
Communication and support
Since it is a virtual course, we also communicate virtually. For this, we have set up a forum where you can interact with other students and with the tutor. In some sessions, you will be invited to discuss specific questions in the forum. Please make ample use this opportunity for exchange, but remain friendly – even if opinions should differ.
The tutor for this course is Dr. Karen Döring, whom you can contact with any organizational and content-related questions. Her email is karen.doering@fau.de. However, please post questions preferably in the forum, so that all participants can see the tutor’s response. Also, before asking, it is worthwhile to check whether your question has already been addressed in the forum.
Self assessment
At the end of each session, you will find a short self-test. This is to help you assess whether you have understood and memorized the session's content. It is an online test, at the end of which you will receive immediate (automatic) feedback.
You can take the self-tests voluntarily to check your own learning success. If you want an ungraded certificate of attendance, however, you need to complete the self-tests of all eleven sessions successfully.
You have passed a self-test if you have scored 80% or more of the achievable points. You can repeat the self-tests as often as you like.
Examination
Two types of examination are available for this course:
- Written exam for 3 ECTS
- Written exam and case study for 5 or 6 ECTS
As a third option, you can get an ungraded certificate of attendance.
For further information on these options as well as exam registration, dates and deadlines, please refer to the file "Information on examination options" for your university in the "Assessment" section
COMMUNICATION
Important announcements will appear HERE.
Exchange, FAQ: Forum
Contact: Karen.Doering@fau.de
ASSESSMENT
Information on the case study
Sample exam questions and solutions
CONTENT: Click here to access the course sessions.
This course was developed by Dr. Karen Döring, Prof. Dr. Klaus Moser and Prof. Dr. Cynthia Sende for the vhb - virtuelle Hochschule Bayern.
The English slidecasts were recorded by Alessia Donovan and Lauren Bush.
For organizational as well as content-related questions, please contact the tutor of the course.
The English slidecasts were recorded by Alessia Donovan and Lauren Bush.
For organizational as well as content-related questions, please contact the tutor of the course.
Shelf
Forum
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