UV9205 – Design and Causal Reasoning in Quantitative Methodology
Course description
Course content
One of the things that quantitative researchers are most interested in (even if we are not always willing to admit it) is causality. What causes a phenomenon and how can we study this? This?course will focus on causal reasoning and designs in quantitative research. The?course is?structured around four overarching topics, namely experimental studies, quasi experimental studies, observational studies and meta-analysis. The course will give understanding of the different design types and to what extent they can address causal issues. If we are not able to deal with causal issues by design, the course will discuss various analytic techniques that can makes us able to at least approach causality. For experimental studies, the course will cover different design?types and give applied examples concerning how to analyze experimental data (e.g. how to measure intervention effects, how to control for baseline differences, how to use effect sizes etc.). For observational studies, the course will focus on longitudinal studies and explore examples on how to design such studies and analyze longitudinal data (e.g. how to measure stability, change and development). In addition, the course will cover how meta-analyses can be used to summarize the before mentioned studies, and how we can implement an open science culture.
Thus, the course aim to focus on causality and causal reasoning how the different design types can accommodate and deal with causality. The course will focus on observational and experimental studies but also on how such studies can be summarized in meta-analyses. ?Finally, the course will also emphasize open science and how this can be implemented.
For candidates doing quantitative studies, independent on the type of design used, the course is highly recommended. A prerequisite for being able to reach the learning outcomes ??of the course is to have foundational knowledge about quantitative research.
Learning outcome
Upon completion of the course, the students will have, in addition to the above, a more in depth understanding of advanced study designs, how they can address causality and also the strengths and weaknesses of some of the common analyses that are used for each design. The students will also gain knowledge about open science and how this can be implemented.
Admission to the course
PhD candidates at the Faculty of Educational Sciences will be given priority, but it is also possible for others to apply for the course.?As a minimum requirement, all participants must hold at least a Master`s degree.
PhD candidates affiliated with the Faculty of Educational Sciences register through?Studentweb.
Others may apply through the application form published at the current semester site.
Registration deadline:?Please see the current semester page.
Recommended previous knowledge
Foundational knowledge about quantitative research and its main designs.?
Overlapping courses
- 2 credits overlap with UV9202B – Basic Course in Quantitative Research Methodology. Part B. (discontinued).
- 2 credits overlap with UV9201 – Basic Course in Quantitative Research Methodology (discontinued).
- 1 credits overlap with UV9202BU.
- 1 credits overlap with UV9201U.
Teaching
The course will include lectures and assignments. Active contributions from the students in the form of discussion and task completion are expected.?
During the course, students will receive practical assignments related to their own research. There will be one practical assignment each day and the assignments will be presented and discussed the following day.
Mandatory activities:
- Course participation?(80% attendance is required).?
- Two exercises (the students will have to work in groups of three with two assignments).?
?
You will find the timetable and literature on the semester page for this course.
Examination
From the assignments the students should prepare a 15 minutes power point presentation that they will present for the group.?
Language of examination
English
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.