This module is designed to allow students to develop competence in a range of mathematical and statistical techniques which they can then apply within a range of contexts in social and behavioural sciences. The module reinforces basic mathematical concepts to the level required for entry in the BA/BSc programmes offered by the School of Law, Social and Behavioural Sciences, and is accessible to students with a wide range of previous mathematical experiences.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Teaching is delivered through whole group lecture/tutorial classes. A proportion of the taught sessions will take place in IT labs enabling students to make use of standard software to analyse data and produce graphs. The majority of taught classes will begin with a short "lecture" introducing and explaining concepts, but the majority of each session will be devoted to students completing formative exercises to build and develop their mathematical skills. The main emphasis in the module is to foster the link between its mathematical content and the application of the theory to contexts in the social and behavioural sciences; this will be done throughout the module and will not be treated as a section in isolation from the subject content. Where appropriate, examples and data will be drawn from applications related to the subject content of the other modules in the programme, but will also provide some links to applications related to the intended degree pathways of the students following their foundation year.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Lecture/Tutorial/Workshop/IT Labs 22 x 2 hr per week | 44 |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 256 | |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
Summative assessment is through the submission of a portfolio of coursework. This consists of two seen in-class tests of 30 minutes each, a statistics assignment to be completed outside formal class time, and a final unseen test of 60 minutes. The time constraint in class assessment will test the students' understanding of, and skills in using, the basic mathematical concepts in the module. The statistics coursework will give the students an opportunity to demonstrate their data handling, statistical inference and presentation skills. The end of module final test will provide synoptic assessment of the whole module, with the exception of the statistical techniques tested in the coursework assessment.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1) Recall and use a range of numerical, algebraic and statistical techniques to solve mathematical problems. | In course tests. (F/S). Final test (S). |
| 2) Recall and use a range of graphical methods to present and interpret data. | In course tests. (F/S). Final test (S). |
| 3) Demonstrate an understanding of basic formal logic and its application. | In course tests. (F/S). Final test (S). |
| 4) Use spreadsheets to present, analyse and interpret numerical data. | Statistics Coursework (F/S) |
| 5) Relate and use the mathematical concepts and techniques in the module to solve problems expressed in the context of social and behavioural sciences. | In course tests (F/S), Statistics Coursework (F/S). Final test (S). |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Porfolio of assessments consisting of two seen in course tests, one statistics coursework assignment, and one final test. | Coursework | 100 |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
Croft, A. and R. Davidson (2016), Foundation Mathematics, 6th Edition, Pearson, Harlow.
Barrow, M. (2009), Statistics for Economics, Accounting and Business Studies, 5th Edition, Pearson, Harlow.
Dancey C. and J. Reidy (2014), Statistics without Maths for Psychology, 6th Edition, Prentice Hall, London.
Gilbert, N. (2008), Researching Social Life, 2nd Edition, Sage, London
Renshaw, G. (2011), Maths for Economics, 3rd Edition, Oxford University Press.