Analysis and interpretation of quantitative data

- To provide students with knowledge that enables them to understand and use quantitative data in public management.
- Point out and address the main doubts and errors that are made in the reading, analysis and use of information sources and databases.
- Train in skills and techniques related to knowledge of statistical procedures for the diagnosis of social problems, policy evaluation, decision-making and crisis management.
- Search, filter and make use of scientific research and other sources of official statistical information in public management in a proactive and organized manner.
- Train for the design and execution of social research, identifying the most appropriate techniques for the objectives pursued.
- Train and guide for the preparation of research reports, as well as train, and motivate, the use of rigorous and appropriate technical language in them.
- To provide students with the ability to carry out analyses of data extracted from social reality in a complex and critical way, proposing possible solutions to the problems and/or needs detected.
- Provide students with the necessary skills to be able to interpret social research, being able to identify and analyse possible biases, errors or low-quality indicators.
- Provide the basic skills for students to be able to draw conclusions and write a research report on the transmission of information to third parties.
- Raise students' awareness of the importance of quality, rigor and ethics in social research: anonymity of research subjects, cross-validation, triangulation, level of relevance, use of appropriate statistics, confirmability, transferability, reliability, resonance, security, overinterpretation, underinterpretation, etc.

Objectives related to mastery of learning tools:

- To enable students to acquire specific competencies in the practice of social research, both in terms of the theoretical design of research, as well as the development and implementation of fieldwork, as well as the mastery of different official and public databases for consultation.
- To provide students with the knowledge that allows them to identify, manage and transmit scientific information: cite sources, databases, computer support programs and statistical analysis, etc.

Objectives related to values and attitudes:

Encourage teamwork, which is highly positive because it helps university students to internalize the values of dialogue, respect and tolerance; At the same time, they learn how to manage potential conflicts, and acquire and enhance communication and negotiation skills, which are increasingly demanded in the world of work.

The contents of the subject are aimed at providing students with the autonomy and independence necessary to approach the analysis or creation of data for purposes applied to the local and public spheres.
To this end, a synthetic overview of descriptive statistics will be offered (with special attention to multivariate statistics), the principles of statistical inference (estimation and decision) will be exposed and an inventory of the main social statistics available in Spain and Europe will be made, with special attention to those referring to the local level.

TOPIC 0. Introduction to data interpretation and analysis. Interpretation and analysis of social statistics, focusing on the user's perspective. Types of variables, basic indicators, etc.

TOPIC 1. Descriptive statistics. Features, graphical representations, calculations, and contingency creation.

TOPIC 2. Survey design and interpretation. Questionnaire design, question types, hypothesis setting, sample design, data sheet and types of analysis.

TOPIC 3. Public databases and grey literature. Analysis of data and information from reports and plans, shortcomings and usefulness of secondary information.

TOPIC 4. Design of indicators and operationalization of concepts for the local and public spheres. Creation and maintenance of own databases and information management. Special focus on European projects.

Basic Bibliography:

Alvira Martín, F. (2011). La encuesta: una perspectiva general metodológica Nº35 | Cuadernos Metodológicos. CIS
Anduiza, E., Crespo, I., y Méndez, M. (1999). Metodología de la Ciencia Política. Cuadernos metodológicos 28. (Vol. 2). Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas.
Azofra Márquez, Mª J. (1999). Cuestionarios Nº26 | Cuadernos Metodológicos. CIS
Baelo, M. y Haz-Gomez (2019). Metodología de la investigación en Ciencias Sociales y Jurídicas. Tirant lo Blanch.
Camarero, L.(2015). Análisis estadístico para investigación social. Garceta
Cea D’Ancona, Mª Á. (2009): Metodología cuantitativa. Estrategias y técnicas de investigación social. Madrid. Síntesis.
Centro de Información Europe Direct de la Provincia de Granada (2017). Manual para el Diseño de Proyectos Europeos. Diputación Provincial de Granada. Disponible online: https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/cultura/redportales/comunidadprofesiona…
Díaz de Rada, V. et al. (2005).Internet como modo de administración de encuestas Nº59 | Cuadernos Metodológicos. CIS
Díaz de Rada, V. (2005). Manual de trabajo de campo en la encuesta Nº36 | Cuadernos Metodológicos. CIS
Flick, U. (2012). Introducción a la investigación cualitativa (3ª ed.; T. del Amo, Trad.). Morata.
García Ferrando, M. (1982). Socioestadística. Alianza.
Rodríguez Osuna, J. (1993). Métodos de Muestreo. Casos Prácticos Nº6 | Cuadernos Metodológicos. CIS
Ruiz Olabuénaga, J. I. (2007). Metodología de la investigación cualitativa (4ª ed.). Universidad de Deusto.
Saldaña, J. y Omasta, M. (2021). Qualitative Research. Analyzing Life. Sage.
Valles, M. S. (2003). Técnicas cualitativas de investigación social. Reflexión metodológica y práctica profesional (3ª reimpr.). Síntesis.
Verd, J. M. y Lozares, C. (2016). Introducción a la investigación cualitativa. Fases, métodos y técnicas. Síntesis.
Zapata, R. y Sánchez-Montijano, E. (2011). Manual de investigación cualitativa en ciencia política. Tecnos.

Supplementary bibliography:


Arroyo, M. y Sábada, I. (Coords.). (2012). Metodología de la investigación social. Técnicas innovadoras y sus aplicaciones. Síntesis.
Barahona, C. y Levy, S. (2003). How to generate statistics and influence policy using participatory methods in research : reflections on work in Malawi, 1999-2002. Institute of Development Studies. Disponible en: https://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/opendocs/handle/20.500.12413/4007.
Barahona, C. y Levy, S. (2007). The Best of Both Worlds: Producing National Statistics Using Participatory Methods. World Development. 35. 326-341. 10.1016/j.worlddev.2006.10.006.
Cea D’Ancona, Mª Á. (2005). Métodos de encuesta. Teoría y práctica, errores y mejora. Madrid. Síntesis.
Chambers, R. (2007). Who Counts? The Quiet Revolution of Participation and Numbers', Institute of Development Studies, Brighton. Disponible en: https://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/opendocs/handle/20.500.12413/398
De La Puente, C. (2007). Sobre la medida, validez y fiabilidad en sociología. Una aplicación de Análisis de Componentes Principales. NOMADAS. Revista Crítica de Ciencias Sociales y Jurídicas (16). Págs. 353-361. Disponible online: https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=2284366
Huff, D. y Freixas O. (2015). Cómo mentir con estadísticas. Barcelona: Crítica.
Mayoux, L. (2012). Quantitative, Qualitative or Participatory? Which Method, for What and When? Doing Development Research, 115–129. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781849208925.N13
Sumner, A. y Tribe, M. (2008). International development studies: Theories and methods in research and practice. 10.4135/9781446279397.
Herzog, B. y Ruiz, J. (Eds.). (2019). Análisis sociológico del discurso. Enfoques, métodos y procedimientos. Universitat de Valencia.

Core competencies:
CB2 - Students must be able to apply the knowledge acquired and their problem-solving skills in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their area of study
CB3 - Students should be able to integrate knowledge and face the complexity of formulating judgments based on information that, being incomplete or limited, includes reflections on the social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge and judgments
CB4 - Students must be able to communicate their conclusions and the knowledge and ultimate reasons behind them to specialized and non-specialized audiences in a clear and unambiguous way.

General competencies:
CG1. Acquisition of high-level knowledge, tools and resources to meet the research and professional expectations of students and society in relation to the organization of local government and innovative public policies.
CG2 - Ability to analyse, synthesize and integrate knowledge and deal with the complexity of making judgments with limited information.
CG5 - Ability to apply the knowledge acquired in a specific work or in an original research process.
CG6 - Ability to retrieve and analyse information from various sources, which allows designing, creating, developing and undertaking innovative projects in the field of local public management and social sciences in general.
CG7. Ability to address complex, critical and unpredictable situations in a systematic and creative way, with critical judgment, with incomplete information, taking risks, making decisions and communicating them to any type of audience.
CG10. Develop strategic thinking that allows problems to be defined, diagnosed and structured objectives for analysis and action in the fields of local management, consultancy and research.
CG11. Detect and manage the influence of technological changes on online services, social media, communication and public service marketing; that allows for optimal use of them in local management.

Transversal competencies:
CT3. Critical reasoning skills
CT4. Autonomy in learning
CT8. Proficiency in searching for and managing information and data
CT9. Commitment to quality, rigour, responsibility and honesty in the development of the work, as well as in its results.

Specific competencies:
CE1. Know and apply the methodology and design of empirical research in the social sciences, as well as their main qualitative and quantitative techniques.
CE2. Acquire theoretical and applied knowledge of research techniques and diagnostic tools, in order to be able to prepare scientific, technical and consultancy studies and reports in the field of Local Administration and democratic innovation.
CE9. Acquire the theoretical and instrumental knowledge necessary for the exercise of a high-level professional activity, for the design and management of participatory strategic plans, programs, projects and services related to management and innovation in urban space.
CE10. Acquire the ability to locate, select and evaluate information, statistical, documentary and bibliographic sources of use, interest and application to the field of innovative local public management.

Lectures (6 hours): These will explain the contents of the subject. They will adopt an expository-participatory methodology, allowing and encouraging the participation of students in the course of the class.

Interactive classes (15 hours): In these classes, students will be offered a series of practical exercises in the design of social research so that they can put into practice the theoretical skills explained throughout the subject. Likewise, researchers and professionals from relevant sectors may be invited to present their studies or projects and the difficulties they may have encountered in carrying out the fieldwork.
Laboratory practices (computer room) will be carried out where data and databases will be processed and analyzed.
In addition, role-playing games can be developed to put into practice certain skills and/or capacities that are important for social research. In the same way, the participation of students in both individual and group interactive tasks will be encouraged.

Tutorials (3 hours): These will supervise the progress of the work to be carried out by the students or solve any doubts that may arise to the students.

The final mark will be the result of the sum of the following sections:

1. Final exam: There will be an exam on the contents taught throughout the course, which will account for 40% of the mark.

2. Continuous assessment:

2.1. Students will carry out an individual/group work on a free topic negotiated with the teachers. This work will consist of carrying out a small investigation applying some of the techniques seen throughout the course. The mark assigned to the work will account for 40% of the mark.

2.2. Attendance and level of student participation -both through written and oral work submitted throughout the course- will account for 20% of the final mark.

In order to pass the course, the student will need to pass 50% of the total mark. In the same way, it will be necessary to have a mark higher than 50% in all the evaluation criteria (exam and practicals). In no case may an average or an exam or a piece of work be graded below 50% of its value.

In the case of students who have been granted dispensation from attendance, they will be assessed by means of the final exam (60%), whose mark will be added to the mark obtained in the practical work (compulsory work and practical work carried out during the course, 40%).

Class attendance is not compulsory, but is part of the continuous assessment in the percentage and format indicated above. It is defined by the Regulations on class attendance in degree and masters courses.

For cases of fraudulent performance of exercises or tests, the rules set out in the Regulations on the assessment of student academic performance and the review of qualifications shall apply.

Following the recommendations of the Master's report, students are assigned 50 hours of independent work; to which are added 21 face-to-face hours (divided between theoretical classes, seminar and laboratory practices).

- Students are advised to keep the material up to date and review the material and notes provided, especially before carrying out practical exercises.

- Students are also encouraged to keep their knowledge of English up to date. As well as some of the systems for referencing bibliographic citations in academic works, with special reference to the APA7 system, of which a summary will be provided through the virtual classroom of the subject for the completion of the final evaluation work of the subject.

- It is recommended to dedicate time to the work that must be done from the beginning of the subject, since this is laborious and takes a lot of time, so if you leave everything for the end then there will be no time to finish it properly.

- It is recommended to make use of tutorials both to supervise the progress of the work, and to resolve doubts about the theory explained throughout the expository classes.

- It is recommended to ask students any questions they may have in the classroom, as this will make the class more bearable for everyone.

- It is recommended to participate in the classes to make them more interactive and less arid.

Students are strongly asked to have a proactive and participative attitude to make the evolution of the classes more bearable; Especially when it comes to carrying out practical tasks or exercises, to solve all the doubts that may arise, and create a relaxed atmosphere in the classroom.

The work and/or internship must be delivered in a timely manner within the deadlines established by the teaching team, if any of these circumstances do not occur, penalties may be applied to the grade or not be evaluated. Teachers reserve the right to establish extraordinary deadlines for the submission of work, if applicable.