The New Zealand Social Statistics Network (NZSSN) is offering twelve 5-day courses, two 3-day courses and two 2-day courses in social science research methods, over the period 18th–29th November 2013. The courses will take place at Victoria University of Wellington’s School of Government. The courses on offer are summarised below.
Week 1
INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS: 18th–22nd November 2013
Christine Miller, Department of Statistics, The University of Auckland
An introductory course in statistical techniques with an emphasis on those applicable to the social sciences, focusing on concepts rather than mathematics.
INTRODUCTION TO R: 18th–19th November 2013 (2 DAYS)
TBC, Department of Statistics, The University of Auckland
An intensive course in statistical methods using R, with alternating lecture and lab sessions, so that skills are applied right after being learnt.
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH TECHNIQUES: 18th–22nd November 2013
Dr Delwyn Goodrick, Program Evaluation Consultant
An introductory course consisting of lectures and practical workshops, designed for those with no background in research or with no previous experience with qualitative techniques of data collection and analysis.
APPLIED COMPUTER-ASSISTED QUALITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS USING NVIVO: 18th–22nd November 2013
Dr Leonie Daws, Principal Consultant, Kihi Consultancies
A course designed for those familiar with qualitative research approaches and interested in using NVivo to assist with qualitative data analysis. The focus is on learning the NVivo data analysis toolkit through hands-on experience.
INTRODUCTION TO STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELLING USING AMOS OR MPLUS: 18th–22nd November 2013
Associate Professor Everarda Cunningham, Swinburne University of Technology
An applied course in using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), which is used to find and test complex relationships among observed and latent variables.
INTRODUCTION TO SURVEY DESIGN: 18th–22nd November 2013
Dr Gordon Emmerson, Honorary Fellow, Victoria University, Melbourne
An introductory course covering underlying theory and best practice in quantitative survey design.
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL NETWORK RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS: 18th–22nd November 2013
Associate Professor Malcolm Alexander, School of Humanities, Griffith University, Queensland
This course introduces information and data collection methods used by social scientists working on social networks.
FUNDAMENTALS OF SPSS: 18th–22nd November 2013
Associate Professor Brian Phillips, Swinburne University of Technology
This course provides the beginner in quantitative data analysis with the basic requirements for analysis in an SPSS computing environment, focusing on the analysis of survey, administrative and/or census data.
DATA ANALYSIS USING STATA: 18th–22nd November 2013
Joanna Dipnall, CogNETive
The aim of the course is to provide the participants with understanding and experience to undertake a basic research project in the social or health sciences using Stata as the statistical tool. Stata is a comprehensive integrated package for data management, analysis and graphics.
Week 2
PROGRAMME EVALUATION – SUPPORTING EVIDENCE-INFORMED PRACTICE: 25th–29th November 2013
Dr Delwyn Goodrick, Program Evaluation Consultant
A course designed for public sector workers and academics interested in commissioning, managing or conducting evaluations of public policy or programmes. (Previously called Introduction to Program Evaluation.)
APPLIED MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS USING STATA: 25th–29th November 2013
Joanna Dipnall, CogNETive
A followup course in Stata, focusing on multivariate statistical techniques, from multiple and logistic regression through principal components analysis and multidimensional scaling, and data visualisation using these methods.
MIXED METHODS IN SOCIAL RESEARCH: 25th–29th November 2013
Dr Gordon Emmerson, Honorary Fellow, Victoria University, Melbourne
A course intended for current and emerging researchers who want to know more about using both qualitative and quantitative methods in their research.
APPLIED STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELS USING MPLUS: 25th–29th November 2013
Associate Professor Everarda Cunningham, Swinburne University of Technology
The first part of the course focuses on using Mplus to specify and interpret common models in SEM, e.g. path analytic and confirmatory factor analysis models; the second part introduces multi-group comparisons and complex longitudinal models.
ADVANCED QUALITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS USING NVIVO: 25th–27th November 2013 (3 DAYS)
Dr Leonie Daws, Principal Consultant, Kihi Consultancies
An advanced course designed for those working on research projects already utilising the software, focusing on higher-level data analysis, theory building and hypothesis testing, validating findings, and producing reports and accounts.
BASICS AND BEYOND OF FOCUS GROUP RESEARCH: 25th–27th November 2013 (3 DAYS)
Dr Martha Ann Carey
This workshop uses a hands-on approach to focus groups for varying levels of rigorous research. Understanding the underlying concepts will enable you to master and adapt the tools effectively with various groups and communities.
Q-METHODOLOGY: 25th–26th November 2013 (2 DAYS)
Dr Amanda Wolf, School of Government, Victoria University of Wellington
We will complete a Q study from soup to nuts, with workshop participants serving as both researchers and data providers. Attention will be given to both the basic steps involved in a Q-methodology study and the foundational theory.
For more information and cost/payment details, please visit www.nzssn.org.nz. Discounts are available for multiple enrolments from a single institution. Our earlybird closing date is Friday 18th October 2013.
NZSSN courses are designed to serve a wide variety of needs for training and professional development in the academic, public and private sectors. Courses cater not only to researchers in the social and political sciences, but also those in areas such as the behavioural sciences, medical and health sciences, epidemiology, policy research, education, economics, law, management, marketing, public relations and human resource management. Our short courses are delivered by highly qualified instructors and previous courses have received outstanding reviews.
If you are aware of any other individuals/departments/companies that might be interested in these NZSSN courses, could you please advise me, and I will forward information directly to them. Alternatively, please do not hesitate to circulate the material yourself.
For more information, and/or to enrol, please visit www.nzssn.org.nz or email courses@nzssn.org.nz
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