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 national (other 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.

During my bachelor I realized I was interested in doing research, and I wanted to know more about the whole process of research and all the problems one may encounter. An important thing I have learned during this minor is that doing research is not as easy or straightforward as it may seem sometimes. And I think doing this minor really helps to stand out with knowledge on methods and statistics for better chances on a research master or PhD.

Ingeborg Kool, 3rd-year Interdisciplinary Social Sciences student

Study programme

This Minor consists of four courses (listed below). To fulfil the Minor, successful completion of all four of these courses is required.

CodeCourseBlokLevelCoordinator
200300125Theory construction and statistical modelling1C3Dr. Kyle Lang
200500126Conducting a survey2C3Dr. Angelo Moretti
201500130Missing data theory and causal effects3C3Dr. Kyle Lang
201000129Doing a qualitative research project4A3Drs. Hidde Leplaa

Entrance requirements

Practical knowledge of how to use SPSS to execute multiple regression and analysis of variance, and knowledge of how to interpret SPSS output 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.

Hidde van Beek, 3rd-year student Psychology

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 Bella Struminskaya (b.struminskaya@uu.nl).

Look at the website of the two-year Master's programme Methods and Statistics in the Social and Behavioural Sciences.