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Courses |
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Principles and Practice of Questionnaire Design |
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Survey Design Workshop |
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Survey Data Collection |
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Sampling for Population Surveys in a Nutshell |
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An Introduction to Survey Data Analysis |
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An Introduction to SAS for Windows |
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An Introduction to SPSS for Windows
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Pre-registration and payment of fees is required for all Short Courses.
Please follow these links for details on:
REGISTRATION
Course Fees
Certificate of Completion
Statistical Consulting Service
Introduction
ISR's 2009 Spring Seminar Series features two series of courses, on survey research and on qualitative research methods.
The courses on surveys begin with a one-day session on questionnaire design. Developing skills in questionnaire design demands practice, and the next day features a workshop in which groups of students develop questions for discussion by three ISR survey researchers and the whole class. Good surveys, of course, depend on the quality of data collection, which is the topic of a half-day workshop the next morning. That afternoon provides an overview of sampling for population surveys. The fourth and last day of this course series is a hands-on introduction to the analysis of survey data.
The qualitative research courses begin with a one-day seminar on how to conduct focus groups. The following two days offer sessions on survey interviewing and various approaches to interpreting qualitative data, including textual materials from interviews, focus group transcripts and written texts. The week concludes with a two-day workshop on the computerized analysis of text using the NVivo program.
Our introductory SPSS and SAS courses are designed to equip participants to undertake basic statistical analysis of surveys or other quantitative data. Each course provides four half-day sessions spaced a week apart in order to allow participants the time to develop skills using their own data.
ISR's spring courses provide a hands-on approach designed to help researchers develop practical skills. They attract an interesting mixture of graduate students, researchers from government and NGOs, faculty members and university staff. We strive to teach in a way that provides a successful introduction to the topic, while offering new insights to more experienced researchers.
Survey Research Methods (May 19-22, 2009)
Principles and Practice
of Questionnaire Design
Professor Michael Ornstein Tuesday, May 19, 2009 9:30a.m.-noon; 1-3:30p.m. Room 305, York Lanes 35 This course provides a theoretical overview and practical guide to questionnaire design. The morning session focuses on models of survey response - what respondents do when they answer survey questions - in relation to what the survey researcher wants to measure and the context of data collection. The afternoon emphasizes practical aspects of writing survey questions and assembling them into an effective questionnaire. Topics covered include differences among self-administered, telephone and face-to-face surveys, open and closed questions, whether to solicit "don't know" answers, demographic questions, and the effects of question order. Questionnaire design is understood as a process rather than a discrete task. The presentation includes many examples.
Survey Design Workshop
Renée Elsbett-Koeppen, MSc
Liza Mercier, BSc
Professor Michael OrnsteinWednesday, May 20, 2009 9:30am-Noon; 1-3:30pm Room 1014
Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) Building30 This workshop is designed to extend and deepen your understanding of questionnaire design with some practical experience. At the end of the previous day, course participants will be divided into groups of about five and given a survey design "assignment." At the beginning of the morning and afternoon sessions, the group will meet and spend an hour and a half developing draft questions. The rest of the session will be spent discussing the groups' questions.
Enrolment in this session is open only to persons who attend the previous session Principles and Practice of Questionnaire Design on Tuesday, May 19th.
Survey Data Collection
Professor Michael Ornstein
Liza Mercier, BScThursday, May 21, 2009 9:30-Noon (½ course) Room 305, York Lanes 35 The course focuses on practical aspects of mailed and web surveys, with some discussion of telephone surveys. Topics covered include effective ways to solicit response, survey length and other predictors of response rates, alternative question formats and their effects on response distributions, and strategies to maximize response quality. At the heart of this process is a good understanding of why people will voluntarily answer a survey and what affects how well they answer.
Please note that this course is not about writing survey questions (see the previous two days), nor does it teach you how to program a web survey.
Sampling for Population Surveys in a Nutshell
Professor Michael Ornstein Thursday, May 21, 2009 1:00-3:30pm. (½ course) Room 305, York Lanes 35 This course provides a short, practical guide to sample design for survey researchers, emphasizing the strengths of alternative designs rather than the mechanics of sample selection. We begin with a description of different samples and their implications for analysis. Decisions about sample design are set in the context of the limitations imposed by the survey population, the information available for sampling and cost. The emphasis is on population surveys measuring many variables in a variety of ways, rather than on the "classical" concern with optimizing estimation of a single outcome.
An Introduction to Survey Data Analysis
Professor Bryn Greer-Wootten Friday, May 22, 2009 9:30am-Noon; 1-3:30pm Room 2114
Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) Building20 The practicalities of analyzing survey research data are emphasized in this computer-based short course. Initial exploratory analysis will deal with levels of measurement, distributional properties of variables, and simple descriptive statistics. The construction of scales is demonstrated and fundamentals of statistical inference and hypothesis testing are then discussed, followed by the implementation of an analytical design with basic statistical analysis of contingency tables, group differences (analysis of variance), and relationships between variables (correlation and regression). Participants should have some background in basic statistics or the fundamentals of survey research. Prior knowledge of SPSS would be beneficial.
Because this material is presented sequentially and builds upon the basics presented at the beginning of the day, participants need to arrive on time and attend the entire session.
Qualitative Research Methods (May 25-29, 2009)
Conducting Focus Groups for Social Research
John Pollard, MA Monday, May 25, 2009 9:30am-Noon; 1-3:30pm Room 1014
Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) Building30 This course presents an introduction to focus group research. The morning session will deal with the basic features of focus group planning and implementation, including how focus groups are currently being used, strengths and weaknesses of this research method, ethical issues to consider, and the various stages of focus group research. The afternoon session will consider practical aspects of conducting focus groups, including appropriate settings for focus groups, participant recruitment, developing the discussion outline, taping focus groups, and moderator techniques.
Participants are invited to raise concrete problems for discussion relating to focus group design, the identification and selection of participants, and data collection. This presentation is suitable for students, faculty, staff and other researchers who are considering focus group research for the first time and for those seeking to refresh their knowledge of this social research method.
The Art and Science of Research Interviewing
Raymond Garrison, MA Tuesday, May 26, 2009 9:30am-Noon; 1-3:30pm Room 305, York Lanes 35 This applied course on research interviewing will focus on two interrelated areas:
- interview design issues, such as interview types, arranging interviews, pre-testing, informed consent and confidentiality, standardization and flexibility, using multiple interviewers, longitudinal studies, and recording interviews; and
- in-field considerations and techniques, such as probing, maintaining flow, issues of control and adaptation, positionality, and taking field notes.
The relative merits and challenges of a variety of interview types will be considered, across a continuum from qualitative to quantitative approaches, including oral narratives, conversational, semi-structured and structured interviews. Practical examples will be provided. Class participants will also be encouraged to discuss their own research projects in the context of issues raised throughout the course. This cross-disciplinary introductory course will provide a comprehensive and detailed overview that is suitable for both academic and non-academic researchers.
Interpreting Qualitative Data: An Overview
Raymond Garrison, MA Wednesday, May 27, 2009 9:30am-Noon; 1-3:30pm Room 305, York Lanes 35 This course provides a conceptual overview, with hands-on examples, of strategies for analyzing qualitative social science research materials, such as field notes, transcripts of in-depth interviews and focus groups, and documentary and archival materials. Major topics include the process of qualitative analysis, organizing data, emergent concepts, and analytic memos. Organized around the major themes of keeping track of what you are doing, what you are finding and how you are feeling about it, the session will pay particular attention to the initial stages of analysis and to coding and indexing as integral components of the analytic process.
A discussion of the presentation of results from qualitative research will review various formats and approaches, the voice of the author and positionality, ethical and confidentiality issues, and the notions of 'qualitative rigour' and replication. The course will conclude with a brief overview of the advantages and limitations of qualitative data analysis software programs, including NVivo. Class participants will be encouraged to discuss their own research projects in the context of issues raised throughout the course. This course is well suited to researchers who are relatively new to qualitative analysis and those wishing to know more about interpretive analysis in general.
Using Computers in Qualitative Analysis:
An NVivo Workshop
Saunia Ahmad, MA Thursday, May 28 and Friday, May 29, 2009 9:30am-Noon; 1-3:30pm Room 2114
Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) Building30 This workshop focuses on using the software package NVivo 8 to analyze qualitative data, such as transcripts of in-depth interviews, focus groups and field notes. On the first day we consider when and why to use NVivo and show how to import text into the program, create nodes and basic methods of coding qualitative data. The second day deals with more advanced coding functions and the use of queries for analyzing qualitative data in NVivo 8. The workshop includes a hands-on component. Morning sessions will be mainly instruction and in the afternoon participants will do guided exercises. The workshop will benefit newcomers to NVivo as well as people with some experience of NVivo 8 or with earlier versions (NVivo 2 and NVivo 7) who would like to expand their skills.
Because this material is presented sequentially and builds upon the basics presented at the beginning of each day, course participants need to arrive on time and attend the entire session.
SCS Short Courses - SAS and SPSS
An Introduction to SAS for Windows
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Instructor:
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Hugh McCague, PhD |
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Dates:
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Tuesdays, May 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2009 |
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Time:
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9:30am-1pm |
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Location:
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Room 021 (Steacie Instructional Lab) Steacie Science Library |
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Enrolment Limit:
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35 |
This short course provides a basic introduction to the Statistical Analysis System (SAS). Sessions One and Two provide: an overview of SAS and its underlying logic; an explanation of the use of the Display Manager System to run a SAS job; an introduction to the SAS Data step for reading, importing, transforming and storing numeric and character data; and a demonstration of how output can be changed with different options. In addition, some basic procedures in SAS will be introduced.
Sessions Three and Four will concentrate on SAS programming techniques to modify data, create charts and plots and transform temporary datasets to permanent datasets. A demonstration of how to use SAS/INSIGHT and SAS/ANALYST will be presented, as well as a basic description of the general linear model. The course is designed for participants with some introductory level statistical knowledge, but no previous experience in using SAS.
Because this material is presented sequentially and builds upon the basics presented at the beginning of each day, course participants need to arrive on time and attend the entire session.
Introduction to SPSS for Windows
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Instructor:
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Lisa Fiksenbaum, MA |
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Dates:
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Thursdays, May 7, 14, 21 and 28, 2009 |
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Time:
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9:30am-1pm |
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Location:
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Room 021 (Steacie Instructional Lab) Steacie Science Library |
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Enrolment Limit:
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35 |
This course presents the basics of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Session One will introduce the computing concepts of SPSS, the different facilities for reading data into an SPSS spreadsheet, and saving SPSS data files for future use. At the end of the first session, participants should be able to run simple programs, including some statistical procedures.
Sessions Two and Three will cover basic data modifications, transformations and other functions, including the uses of SPSS system files. More statistical procedures will also be introduced, with an emphasis on the use of graphical methods for examining univariate and bivariate relationships. Session Four will cover Analysis of Variance and Least Squares Regression. As with previous sessions, graphical techniques will be demonstrated. Participants will benefit if they have a basic level of statistical knowledge, but the course is designed as an introduction to data analysis using the SPSS program and not as a statistics course.
Because this material is presented sequentially and builds upon the basics presented at the beginning of each day, course participants need to arrive on time and attend the entire session.
Click here to download SPSS course materials
Course Fees
For York students, staff and faculty, the fees are
$40 per full-course and $20 per half-course.
Full-time students at other post-secondary institutions
may register for a fee of
$60 per full-course and $30 per half-course.
For external participants, the fees per course are:
| Principles and Practices of Questionnaire Design............... | $100 |
| Survey Design Workshop................................................ | $100 |
| Survey Data Collection (½ course)..................................... | $ 50 |
| Sampling for Population Surveys in a Nutshell (½ course).... | $ 50 |
| An Introduction to Survey Data Analysis.......................... | $100 |
| Conducting Focus Groups for Social Research................. | $100 |
| The Art and Science of Research Interviewing.................. |
$100
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| Interpreting Qualitative Data: An Overview....................... |
$100
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| An NVivo Workshop...................................................... |
$200
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| An Introduction to SAS for Windows............................... |
$240
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| An Introduction to SPSS for Windows............................. |
$240
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All participants: Certificate of Completion..............$5.00 each
Course fees must be paid at the time of registration.
See the registration form for payment options.
Refunds are available upon three business days' notice prior to the course start date
and are subject to an administrative fee.
Please review our policy regarding refunds here.
Registration
- You can register for courses by completing the
on-line registration form.
- To register in person (weekdays, from 9:00am to 12:00pm or
2:00pm to 4:00pm), please see:
Anita Valencia
Room 5075
Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) Building
- To register by mail, print a blank registration form,
complete, and send to:
Anita Valencia
Institute for Social Research
Room 5075
Technology Enhanced Learning Building
York University
4700 Keele Street
Toronto, ON M3J 1P3
Canada
- You may also fax a completed registration form to: 416-736-5749
- Available on request, full attendance is required.
- A $5.00 administrative fee applies, for each certificate requested.
Additional information regarding registration: please telephone 416-736-5061, weekdays, from 9:00am to 12:00pm or 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Directions to York University (Keele Campus), information on parking and building locations click here.
The Institute for Social Research's Statistical Consulting Service provides consultation on a broad range of statistical problems and on the use of computers for statistical analysis. Its services extend beyond the social sciences to other disciplines that make use of statistics. Consultation is available to assist in research design, data collection, data analysis, statistical computing, and the presentation of statistical material.
Consultation is provided by a group of faculty drawn from York University's Departments of Sociology, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Studies, and Mathematics and Statistics, in conjunction with full-time professional staff at ISR. The faculty and staff have extensive experience with all forms of statistical analysis. Topics for which assistance is available include regression analysis, multivariate analysis, stochastic processes, probability theory, exploratory data analysis, scaling and cluster analysis, analysis of categorical data, structural equation modeling, survey data and longitudinal data, experimental design, survey sampling, and statistical computing.
Three times a year, the Statistical Consulting Service offers short courses on various aspects of statistics and statistical computing, including regular introductions to the SPSS and SAS statistical packages. Recent course offerings have included regression diagnostics, boot-strapping techniques, an introduction to the AMOS module in SPSS, graphical methods for categorical data, confirmatory factor analysis, model-based approaches to cluster analysis, an introduction to the R programming language, and visual methods for statistical data analysis. The Statistical Consulting Service staff also assist in teaching these topics by giving presentations in regular university classes.
The Statistical Consulting Service maintains a regular schedule of office hours during the academic year. The Service primarily serves the York University community; for others, consultation is available on a fee-for-service basis. Appointments can be made at http://www.isr.yorku.ca/scs with the on-line Appointment Scheduler.
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