In this course, we will learn how to plan and conduct quantitative research.

This will include:

1.  the introduction of fundamental terms;
2. the presentation of qualitative and quantitative research methods, including quantitative methods such as self-completion questionnaire, structured observation, content analysis, and qualitative methods such as interviews, focus groups, ethnography and participant observation;
3. how to decide whether a research question requires quantitative or qualitative methods;
4. overall the focus will be on quantitative studies!
5. what are the phases of an empirical project;
6. how to relate the empirical study to theory;
7. how to design a study (objectivity, reliability, validity) including the design of hypotheses and research questions;
8. how to decide which evaluation methods are best suited for the analysis of the data resulting from a a given empirical study, learn about tools for doing the calculations and how to interpret the outcome.

Note: This course provides you with the theoretical background and skills to define, setup up and conduct an empirical study on your own. It is strongly recommended to attend this course prior to the follow-up course in Summer Semester 2021, where the course participants design and conduct their own empirical studies.

"Students from other faculties or universities will receive a place on the course subject to
room capacities."

For the successful participation of the course, the following criteria must be fulfilled:

- Regular attendance (at least 80%)

- Timely submission of partial services (literature-based research question, hypothesis, operationalization, excerpt, questionnaire)

- Timely submission of a research paper covering the design of an empirical study.