Statistics for Social Research
UndergraduateGRF-CCJ292022
Course information for 2022 intake View information for 2025 course intake
An introduction to applied statistics for students in criminal justice fields. Learn to identify appropriate techniques and how to perform, interpret and present these analyses. Explore descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS for Windows.
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Statistics for Social Research
About this subject
After successfully completing this subject you should be able to:
- explain in depth basic concepts of measurement of data, sampling distributions and variability
- demonstrate how to operate data management and statistical software in order to manipulate data and generate statistical output
- select the correct descriptive and inferential analysis based on the type of data, data assumptions and the research question given
- interpret tables and other statistical output in the context of analysis (determining the correct next step in a procedure) and to answer the research question (being able to translate statistical material for a reader)
- report statistical findings appropriately
- Why analyse data?
- Where does data come from?
- How to describe data numerically?
- How to visualise and report data?
- How to describe relationships: chi-square?
- How to describe relationships: strenght/direction?
- How to make inferences: confidence intervals?
- How to make inferences: mean differences?
- How to make inferences: ANOVA?
- What if there are more than 2 variables?
- Bringing it all together: review
This subject provides a solid introduction to applied statistics for students in criminal justice and related fields. The subject covers both descriptive and inferential statistics, and students learn to use the statistical package SPSS for Windows.
Students in this subject will be taught to identify when certain statistical techniques are appropriate, and how to perform, interpret and present these analyses. This will enable students to be more discerning consumers of the research literature and also prepare them to carry out their own research projects. Students will be taught to analyse data using one of the most widely available statistical packages, SPSS. These skills are highly sought after by employers.
Assessment details will be advised at the beginning of the subject offering.
- Research log (30%)
- Research project report (40%)
- Online final quiz (30%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia. Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.
Learn more about Griffith University.
Explore Griffith courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
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- 21
Entry requirements
Others
This is not an introductory subject, it is a second year subject. You should complete a number of other first or second year subjects.
Students who have completed more than 2 OUA units (GPA 4.0+) and are planning on completing the Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice are strongly encouraged to enrol in the degree. Part of this process will involve registering your study plan with Griffith University, which will help to ensure that you are studying the required units.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
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