Course Description

Conducting research as a requirement in academic thesis requires a variety of skills such as mobile-based data collection, data cleaning/management, data analysis and report writing. SPSS Statistics is a powerful statistical software with application in academic research. The software is more popular in social sciences. Sound knowledge about the methodology of conducting research and the use of SPSS is very beneficial to students when conducting research in partial fulfilment for the requirement of various degree programmes. Upon completion of this training course, student participants will develop competence in research designing, data collection, data management, statistical data analysis, interpretation and reporting of results.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course the participants will be able to:

•    Enhance their competence in research designing

•    Collect both qualitative and quantitative data using mobile data collection platforms (ODK)

•    Learn how to analyze quantitative data

•    Learn how to analyze qualitative data

•    Learn how to merge qualitative and quantitative analysis results

•    Learn how to report research results in academic manner

Who should enroll?

This course is ideal for university staff and students who expect to perfect their research skills in thesis and dissertation development.

TOPICS TO BE COVERED

Module 1: Introduction to research, research design and sampling

Introduction to research

• Introduction to research
• Descriptive and inferential statistics
• Hypothesis testing

Research Design

• Quantitative Research Approaches
• Qualitative Research Approaches

Sampling

• Sampling Techniques (Probability and Non-probability)
• Sample size determination formulas

Module 2: Data collection

Data Collection Methods and Tools

• Quantitative data collection methods and tools
• Qualitative data collection methods and tools

Mobile Data Collection using ODK

• Introduction to mobile data gathering
• Advantages of mobile data collection
• Design of survey forms using ODK build and XLSForm
• Hosting data in online servers
• Using ODK application to collect data

Module 3: Training in SPSS

Introduction to SPSS statistical software

• SPSS windows/views:
• Data entry into SPSS
• Data manipulation in SPSS

Descriptive Statistics using SPSS

• Descriptive statistics for numeric variables
• Descriptive statistics for categorical variables
• Descriptive statistics for a mixture of categorical and numerical variables

Graphical representation of data using SPSS

• Introduction to graphs in SPSS
• Different types of Graphs in SPSS

Module 4: Training in SPSS (Continued…)

• Inferential Statistical Tests using SPSS
• T Test
• One-Way ANOVA
• Chi-Square test
• Correlation coefficient analysis
• Linear and multiple regression

Module 5: Training in SPSS (Continued…)

• Binary Logistic Regression
• Ordered Logistic Regression
• Multi-nominal logistic regression
• Two-stage least square regression

Module 6: Qualitative data analysis

• Introduction to NVivo and NVivo workspace
• Uploading qualitative data into NVivo
• Coding in NVivo
• Querying in NVivo
• Project visualization

Module 7: Spatial data analysis

• Introduction to GIS concepts
• GIS and remote sensing principles
• Spatial Reference Systems (Map projections; Coordinate system and GPS system)
• ODK and GIS
• GIS data acquisition (Satellite images, remote sensing, online GIS data sources, topographic sheets, open street maps)

Module 8: Spatial data analysis (Continued…)

• Map making using QGIS software
• Spatial/Point pattern analysis - Heatmap, graduated point map and density maps
• Buffer analysis - Spatial join, table join and spatial query

Module 9: Other key topics in SPSS

• Dimension reduction (optimal scaling and factor analysis)
• Time series and longitudinal data analysis

Module 10: Thesis writing

• Results interpretation, presentation and reporting in thesis
• Report content and dissemination of findings

Why train with us

Vital Extra Learning guarantees our clients:

•    State-of-the-art facilities and training infrastructure

•    Extended tradition of hand-holding during post engagement

•    Service delivery through highly seasoned industry experts.

•    Value for money