2023-2024 / SOCI1003-1

Using Quantitative Datas and Methods in Migration Studies

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

 Master in sociology, professional focus in Immigration Studies (Barcelone - Liege: joint-degree programme)6 crédits 
 Master in sociology (120 ECTS) (professional focus in Migration and Ethnic Studies)6 crédits 
 Extra courses intended for exchange students (Erasmus, ...) (Faculty of social sciences)6 crédits 

Lecturer

Abdelslam Marfouk, Cristina-Daniela Vintila

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This course aims to familiarise students with the use of quantitative data and methods in migration studies. The course is designed as a research seminar that will provide students an opportunity to learn and develop their knowledge and skills for carrying out a research project using quantitative data. As part of the course, students will learn and discuss about how to collect, analyse and interpret quantitative data on migration. In addition to an overview of different quantitative data and methods useful in migration studies, the course also offers students the possibility to learn and practice how to design a survey on migration-related issues and how to implement such survey using the Qualtrics survey tool. Students are expected to use this practical information in view of producing a written paper for this course.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The course will cover the use of quantitative data and methods using different sources and on different international migration topics. The aim of the course is to deepen students' methodological and analytical skills, their understanding of scientific literature and empirical developments in the field of migration, their academic reading and writing skills, as well as their skills of oral communication, independent and team work. Upon completion of this course, students should be able to design and carry out a research project involving quantitative data/methods.  

 

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

The course is taught in English. Students are expected to have a good understanding of the language. Students are not expected to have prior knowledge about quantitative data and methods.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Students are expected to use the practical information received during this course (lectures, preparatory readings, etc.) to actively participate in class discussions. Throughout the semester, they are also expected to work in pairs in view of preparing a written paper for this course. The papers shall also be orally defended during the last session of the course. Further information regarding the preparation of the papers and their oral presentation will be provided during the first week of the course.




 

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Additional information:

Students are expected to be present in the classroom and actively participate during the sessions. Depending on the availability of external speakers, some lectures may be given in a hybrid mode or fully online via video-conference. If the number of students registered for this class is too limited, the lectures could be replaced by a series of meetings with the lecturers for the preparation of the written papers.

Recommended or required readings

Students are expected to read scientific articles related to the research questions of their final papers for this course. All the course material will be put on MyULiege under "Support de cours". 

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- Remote

written exam

Written work / report

Continuous assessment


Additional information:

The evaluation is based on two elements:

1) Active participation in class and preparatory readings (8 points, worth 40% of the final grade)

Students are expected to actively participate in class discussions. The sessions for this course will comprise both lectures as well as practical exercises aiming to improve students' knowledge and skills related to the use of data and methods in migration studies. Throughout the semester, students will also receive recommended readings related to particular data/methods and topics related to their research papers for this course. They are expected to use such readings in view of actively participating in class discussions and to prepare their written papers for the course.

2) Final research paper and oral presentation (12 points, worth 60% of the final grade)

At the end of the semester, students working in pairs are expected to deliver a written paper of approximately 4,500-5,500 words (excluding front page, references, footnotes, bibliography, annexes, etc.). For the written papers, each group of students shall choose a topic from a list of different options provided by the lecturers or propose any other topic of their interest, upon consultation with the lecturers. Once students' proposals for a specific topic have been approved, it will no longer be possible to change them. The written papers shall comprise a theoretical discussion based on the literature review of the selected topic, and an analysis of the empirical material that students will collect throughout the semester under the supervision of the course lecturer. The empirical material will be based on an original survey that each pair of students shall conduct using the Qualtrics survey tool, following the practical instructions received from the course lecturers. Students are also expected to present their final research papers at the end of the course and act as discussants for each other's papers during the session dedicated to the oral presentations. Further details and examples regarding the paper will be provided during the first lecture. 

Second session (Resitting the exam) (20 points, worth 100% of the final grade): In the second session, students are expected to submit a new paper, upon consultation with the course lecturers. The guidelines for this paper will be similar to the papers expected in the first session, although there will be no oral defence and students shall be expected to work on the paper individually instead of working in pairs. The specific modalities and deadline for the submission of papers for the second session will be set after the first session and students should therefore contact the course lecturers for further details.

Work placement(s)

Not applicable.

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

See the announcement board of FASS or contact the professors for the starting date of classes (Q2).

Contacts

Dr Abdeslam Marfouk (a.marfouk@uliege.be)

Dr Daniela Vintila (Daniela.Vintila@uliege.be)

Association of one or more MOOCs

The MOOC entitled 'Migrations internationales : Comment les mobilités transforment les sociétés ? (H2)' is associated with this course.