Methods and Statistics in the Social and Behavioural Sciences (methoden en technieken)
If you are searching for a research position, or a job where evaluating research is an important part of your work, you will greatly improve your opportunities and understanding by taking the Minor Methods and Statistics in the Social and Behavioural Sciences.
Student profile
The Minor Methods and Statistics in the Social and Behavioural Sciences is accessible to students at the Faculty of Social Sciences, but also to students at the University College and to students from other national universities and international exchange students.
The Minor is intended for everyone who is interested in doing research in practice, and will prepare you for doing a Research Master's programme.
In order to get more hands-on experience in conducting research, I decided to take on two courses that this minor offers. In these courses, I learnt the most important facets, techniques and best practices in conducting research. Moreover, attention was paid to the difficulties and obstacles in the process and how to tackle them in a well thought-out manner. After following these courses, I feel much more confident and well-equipped in doing research which is beneficial for taking on a (research) master and for later on in the working force!
Study programme
This Minor consists of five courses (listed below), of which a student will follow four. To fulfil the Minor, successful completion of four chosen courses is required.
Code | Course | Blok | Level | Coordinator |
---|---|---|---|---|
200300125 | Theory construction and statistical modelling | 1C | 3 | Dr. Kyle Lang |
202400005 | Introduction to digital trace data | 1D | 3 | Dr. Javier Garcia Bernardo |
200500126 | Conducting a survey | 2C | 3 | Dr. Angelo Moretti |
201500130 | Missing data theory and causal effects | 3C | 3 | Dr. Kyle Lang |
201000129 | Doing a qualitative research project | 4A | 3 | Drs. Hidde Leplaa |
Entrance requirements
Practical knowledge of how to use R (or JASP, or SPSS) to execute multiple regression and analysis of variance, and knowledge of how to interpret output provided by statistical software that you work with (R, JASP, SPSS) is required for all courses. All students should be able to understand, speak and write in English. The precise entry requirements for each of the courses are given in the course descriptions that can be found under Study Programme.
For the course 'Doing a Qualitative research project' methodological knowledge at the level of first year bachelor courses is required. For the other courses methodological and statistical knowledge at the level of first- and second-year bachelor courses is required. Furthermore, theoretical knowledge of multivariate statistics and more specifically multiple regression, and analysis of variance is required.
I really liked the small scale of the minor courses. This means that you get a chance to discuss topics of the course with your professor on an accessible level. The most important thing I learned in this minor is also how enjoyable group work can be when you are interested in the same topics as your partners.
Minor declaration
If you are a student of Utrecht University, the minor will be included in your International Diploma Supplement (provided that you have met all the requirements, of course).
If you are not a student of the University, it may be useful to request a minor declaration. This will allow you to demonstrate that you have successfully completed the minor. When you have passed all courses of this minor, you can apply for a minor declaration in Osiris Case. To do so, you must be enrolled in the minor.
More information
For further information, please contact Angelo Moretti (a.moretti@uu.nl).
Look at the website of the two-year Master's programme Methods and Statistics in the Social and Behavioural Sciences.