Program Overview

Program Overview

The university program offers a comprehensive education in statistical methods and qualitative procedures of empirical social research. The program aims to equip students with the necessary skills for careers in social science research at universities, research institutes, or in market research. The methodological training is embedded in a social science study program, allowing students to acquire additional qualifications in disciplines such as sociology, political science, social economics, and social psychology/anthropology.

Program Structure

The program focuses on advanced procedures for social science data analysis, including regression and classification methods for cross-sectional and longitudinal data. The program also covers data management, result preparation, and analysis of social science datasets.

Advanced Methods

The program includes advanced methods and procedures, such as:

• Bayesian statistics
• Handling missing values in data analysis
• Multi-level and structural equation models
• Procedures for analyzing geodata and large datasets
• Seminars on case-, narrative-, and content-analytical evaluation procedures for qualitative interviews
• Grounded Theory research approaches
• Field research in intercultural contexts

Methodological Aspects

The program addresses methodological issues in social science data analysis, including:

• Reflexivity in the research process
• Identification of causal effects with different research designs
• The relationship between theory and practice in empirical social research is examined, and the methods and procedures used are critically discussed.

Research Areas

The program covers a broad range of research areas, including:

• Statistical methods
• Qualitative procedures
• Social science research
• Market research
• Data analysis
• Data management
• Result preparation