Quantitative Research Methods in Criminology
Code: 100450 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Criminology | OB | 2 |
Contact
- Name:
- Marc Ajenjo Cosp
- Email:
- marc.ajenjo@uab.cat
Teaching groups languages
You can view this information at the end of this document.
Prerequisites
Although it is interesting to have the basic knowledge of mathematics and statistics acquired in secondary education, the subject starts from 0.
All that is required is not being anxious about one's ability to do mathematics.
However, it is advisable to have taken the Quantitative Methods Preparatory course that is scheduled for the Faculty of Sociology and Political Sciences at the beginning of September. This preparatory course is intended for social science students who have difficulties understanding mathematical and statistical reasoning.
Teaching will be taught in Catalan. Despite this, it is possible that some of the seminars will be taught in Spanish.
The teaching of the subject will be taught taking into account the perspective of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Objectives and Contextualisation
Quantitative Methods is an introductory course in the analysis of statistical data as a fundamental tool in criminological research.
The general objectives of the bachelor’s degree in criminology are that graduates of this degree should be able to use the research methods and techniques specific to statistical analysis and to be competent in the analysis of quantitative data in the field of conflict and/or crime within a given social context. Within this framework, the course's training objectives are:
1) To understand the basic statistical concepts of descriptive statistics.
2) To acquire autonomy in the use of computer tools for quantitative data analysis and their application to criminology.
3) To carry out quantitative data analysis from a descriptive perspective and using univariate and bivariate analytical techniques.
4) To introduce students to statistical inference based on statistical sampling concepts and their consequences in criminology research.
5) To identify and to apply these concepts in criminology research projects.
This course continues the methods and techniques pathway within the degree. It is a continuation of the first-year course "Scientific Research in Criminology" and, in part, of "Data Sources in Criminology," which presents the logic of the research process in social sciences and criminological data. This course is also a continuation of the second-semester course "Data Analysis," which delves deeper into the content of this course and multivariate analysis.
Competences
- Ability to analyse and summarise.
- Accessing and interpreting sources of crime data.
- Applying the quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques in the criminological field.
- Clearly explaining and arguing a carried out analysis about a conflict or crime problem and its responses in front of specialised and non-specialised audiences.
- Designing a criminological research and identifying the appropriate methodological strategy to the proposed goals.
- Drawing up an academic text.
- Working autonomously.
Learning Outcomes
- Ability to analyse and summarise.
- Applying the quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques in the criminological field.
- Choosing the appropriate research methodology in criminological works.
- Drawing up an academic text.
- Interpreting in a scientific way statistical data from the criminological field.
- Transmitting in a reasoned manner the results of a criminological research.
- Working autonomously.
Content
Block I. Descriptive and inferential data analysis
Unit 1. Descriptive statistics of one variable
1.1. Definition: descriptive and inferential statistics
1.2. Fundamentals of univariate descriptive statistics
The concept of measurement and levels of measurement
The data and the data set
Observations and variables
Mathematical notation: the summation (∑)
1.3. Elementary concepts of proportions. The concept of increment
Calculation and interpretation of a percentage
Operations with proportions
Percentage changes: the increases
Index numbers
1.4. Frequency distribution tables and their graphical representation
Individual data and data grouped in intervals
Absolute, relative and cumulative frequency
Bar and pie charts
1.5. Summary measures of the distribution of a variable
Measures of central tendency: mode, median and mean
Position measures: percentiles
Measures of dispersion: range, variance, standard deviation, interquartile range
Graphical representations: histograms and box plots
1.6. Introduction to the normal distribution
Unit 2. Bivariate descriptive analysis
2.1. Contingency table analysis
Joint, marginal, and conditional distributions
The contingency table as a tool for analysing the relationship between variables
The stacked bar charts
2.2. Comparison of means
Descriptive statistics by group
Clustered box plots
2.3. Correlation between variables and linear regression
Concepts and calculation of correlation
Concepts and calculation of the regression line
Scatterplots
Unit 3. Fundamentals of univariate statistical inference
3.1. Statistical sampling
The concept of sample and population
Probability and non-probability sampling
Sampling error and interval estimates
Block II. The data analysis software
Unit 4. Introduction to the programme
4.1. The graphical interface
4.2. The structure of code in the R language
4.3. Interpretation and understanding of warnings and error messages
4.4. Objects and classes
4.5. Structure of the functions
Unit 5. Transformations of variables
5.1. Introduction
Difference between measurement level and class. The correct assignment of the class
Factor variables and their levels. Reallocation and ordering
5.2. Transformations using a single variable
Recoding
The definition of non-response
5.3. Transformations using several variables
Arithmetic operations on numerical variables
Case count
Generation of variables from conditions
Case selection
Debugging of files: detection and correction of errors
Unit 6. Descriptive statistics in RStudio
6.1. Univariate descriptive statistics
6.2. Bivariate descriptive statistics
6.3. Graphical representations
Activities and Methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Lectures | 19.5 | 0.78 | 2, 5, 1 |
| Workshops | 19.5 | 0.78 | 2, 5, 1, 7 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Exam | 5 | 0.2 | 2, 5, 1, 7 |
| Exam preparation | 34.5 | 1.38 | 2, 5, 1, 7 |
| Exercices and reading | 46.5 | 1.86 | 2, 3, 5, 1, 7 |
| Group paper | 25 | 1 | 2, 5, 4, 1, 6 |
A detailed schedule of sessions will be published on the virtual campus before the start date of the course.
Two types of activities will be held in the classroom:
- Theoretical sessions for the class group. The concepts and content of the course will be presented using PowerPoint presentations. The final 10 minutes of each session will be reserved for a test on the specific content of the session. This test will serve as an attendance check and also to assess student adherence to the course.
- Practical sessions in computerized classrooms. Students will work with the free software RStudio, which is installed in all social science computerized classrooms (students are encouraged to also have the software installed on their laptops). Students will be provided with a dossier for each session through the virtual campus to facilitate follow-up. As with the theoretical sessions, the final 10 minutes of each session will be reserved for a test on the specific content of the session. This test will serve as an attendance check, but also to assess student progress in the course.
Outside the classroom
- Two types of exercises must be completed weekly: one for the theoretical session and one for the practical session. These exercises must be submitted via the virtual campus before the next session:
- Theoretical session. This will consist of problems involving applied statistics in criminology. The exercises will be completed at the beginning of the next session.
- Practical session. Work exercises with RStudio software to help students gain self-reliance in its use. The solutions to these exercises will be posted on the virtual campus for self-correction.
- Creation of a poster applying the course concepts to criminological research. Its completion will be supervised during tutorial hours. In order to closely monitor the work, lecturers of the course may make these tutorials mandatory.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Assessment
Continous Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercises | 5% | 0 | 0 | 2, 3, 5, 1, 7 |
| Ongoing assessment | 10% | 0 | 0 | 2, 5, 7 |
| Paper (groups) | 25% | 0 | 0 | 2, 3, 5, 4, 1, 6, 7 |
| Practical test. Data Analysis with RStudio | 30% | 0 | 0 | 5, 1, 7 |
| Theoretical-practical test. Problems of univariate descriptive statistics | 30% | 0 | 0 | 2, 3, 5, 1, 7 |
1. Continuous assessment activities
A) Classroom problems and practice with the analysis programme (5%):
- At the end of each theory session and each practical session, a set of exercises and problems will be posed and must be handed in before the next session.
- No practice will be accepted beyond the deadlines, except in cases of force majeure. The practices not submitted are not recoverable and have a value equal to 0.
- The practical exercises will not be directly assessed, but the solutions will be posted on the virtual campus with detailed explanations to facilitate self-correction.
B) Follow-up of theoretical and practical sessions (10%):
- In each session, a short test will be given with questions on the contents developed during the class or on reading materials defined for the session.
- This activity cannot be made up, so that unexcused absences will have a mark of 0. If the absence has been justified, the activity will not be taken into account in the calculation of the average.
C) Practical test on data processing with the analysis software (30%):
- This practical test will assess the skills acquired in data processing and the manipulation of variables and files using the software.
- In order to pass the course, a minimum mark of 4 is required. Otherwise, it will be necessary to take the final exam.
D) Theoretical-practical test on concepts specific to univariate descriptive statistics (30%):
- This theoretical and practical test will combine questions on the main concepts of univariate descriptive statistics with their application in problem-solving and the use of statistical software.
- In order to pass the course, a minimum mark of 4 is required. Otherwise, it will be necessary to take the final exam.
E) Analysis work (25%):
- A paper will contain: (1) aspects of univariate inference and (2) treatment of variables and bivariate analysis.
- Guidelines for the development of the work will be set out at the beginning of this part of the course.
- The work will be carried out in groups. The number of members of the groups will be specified at a later stage.
- In order to pass the course, a minimum mark of 4 is required. Otherwise, it will be necessary to take the final exam.
- A paper that contains serious formatting problems (e.g. spelling mistakes or poor bibliographical citations) will receive a mark of 3, regardless of its content.
2. Conditions for taking part in the assessment
- In accordance with the criteria of the Degree, attendance is compulsory at 100% unless there is an excused absence. Justified absences are considered to be those due to force majeure. Absence due to academic reasons must be accepted in advance by the teaching staff. It is necessary to meet a minimum of 80% attendance to be able to pass the evaluation.
- Punctuality in class is required. Delays of more than 5 minutes not justified by force majeure will count as a failure to attend.
3. Final test within the framework of continuous assessment
Students who take part in at least 80% of the activities (sections A and Bof the continuous assessment), but who get less than a 4 in any of the three continuous assessment activities (C, D or E) must take a final exam with the content of the whole course.
Students who take part in less than 80% of the activities (sections A and B of continuous assessment) are not entitled to this final exam.
4. Non-evaluable rating
Students will be assessed as long as they have completed a set of activities whose weight is equivalent to a minimum of 2/3 of the total grade of the subject. If the value of the activities carried out does not reach this threshold, the teacher of the subject can consider the student as not evaluable.
5. Fraudulent conduct
If any form of copying or plagiarism is detected in any of the assessment activities, the activity will be marked 0 and the right to re-assessment will be lost. Human or technological help in writing the results of a work will
be considered plagiarism.
Cell phones will be used to evaluate the monitoring of the theory and practice sessions (section B). If it is detected that a person answers the questionnaires without being present in the classroom, he/she will have a mark of 0 in the overall evaluation of the follow-up of the sessions.
6. Behaviour during the course
The UAB is home to a diverse and inclusive environment for students, teaching staff and the university community as a whole. In this class a zero-tolerance policy will be applied towards any attitude of discrimination or harassment based on age, ancestry, functional diversity, gender identity, national origin, religious belief or sexual orientation, as well as towards any attitude that generates a hostile environment for any of the aforementioned reasons. Such attitudes will be reported in accordance with the university's harassment prevention policy.
7. Single assessment
Students who, within the deadlines established by the faculty, take advantage of a single assessment, do not have the obligation to carry out the exercises set out in the classroom, or to deliver the RStudio practices, or to keep a daily monitoring of the course.
In this case, the evaluation will be based on a final exam on the date established by the faculty. This exam will assess the ability to work with the appropriate software, the knowledge of univariate and bivariate descriptive statistics, as well as the basic fundamentals of statistical sampling.
Students who do not pass the test will be will have the right to a re-evaluation. In both exams a grade of 5 is necessary to pass the subject.
Bibliography
Basic reading
The following publications are the basic reference manuals for the subject. Although they are not compulsory reading, they are recommended.
Boccardo, Giorgio and Ruiz, Felipe (2019). RStudio para Estadística Descriptiva en Ciencias Sociales. https://bookdown.org/gboccardo/manual-ED-UCH/uso-basico-de-rstudio.html#que-es-rstudio-una-interfaz-para-usar-r
López-Roldán, Pedro and Fachelli, Sandra (2015). Metodología de la investigación social cuantitativa. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. https://ddd.uab.cat/record/129382
Complementary references
Bardina, Xavier; Farré, Mercè and López-Roldán, Pedro (2005). Estadística: un curs introductori per a estudiants de ciències socials i humanes. Volum 2: Descriptiva i exploratòria bivariant. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.
Cea D'ancona, Mª Ángeles (1998) Metodología cuantitativa. Estrategias y técnicas de investigación social. Síntesis.
Farré, Mercè (2005). Estadística: un curs introductori per a estudiants de ciències socials i humanes. Volum 1: Descriptiva i exploratòria univariant. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.
Fox, James A.; Levin, Jack; Forde and David R. (2013) Elementary Statistics in Criminal Justice Research. Pearson Education.
Maxfield, Michael G. and Babbie, Earl R. (2005). Research Methods for Criminal Justice and Criminology. Thomson Wadsworth.
Walker, Jeffery and Maddan, Sean. (2009).Statisticsin Criminology and Social Justice: Analysis and Interpretation. Jones and Bartlett Pubs.
Note
Complementary bibliography for the different parts of the programme can be found in the materials available on the Virtual Campus.
Given the eminently practical nature of the course, the readings that appear in this bibliography are not compulsory, but for consultation; they are designed to complement the explanations given in the classroom and to clarify any doubts that may arise. In addition, they will be useful for all those who, for whatever reason, are unable to attend the classes.
Software
The free software RStudio will be used
Groups and Languages
Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.
| Name | Group | Language | Semester | Turn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (SEM30) Seminaris (30 estudiants per grup) | 11 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (SEM30) Seminaris (30 estudiants per grup) | 12 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (SEM30) Seminaris (30 estudiants per grup) | 13 | Spanish | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |