Foundations in
Research Skills 2
Session
1
Chika Kitano
1. Course Overview
-Course materials, assignments, evaluation, etc.
-Class rules (Late policy, Use of AI, and Participation,
Grading)
Outline 2. Course Contents
- What is Quantitative Research?
-How can we quantify data?
-Different types of data (textual, numerical, visual)
[Link] topics
4. Homework
01 Course Overview
1) Course materials (manaba)
・
Syllabus
Let’s check what we learn through the course!
Course Schedule with
Dates
Course schedule of this course is uploaded.
Please note that, according to the calendar, the 12th
session is scheduled for the week immediately following
the 10th session. The on-demand session (11th session)
will not be held during a specific week. The on-demand
video will be available by 10th session.
12th session 13th session
14th session
Assignment information
Detailed information on the assignments is uploaded here.
Feedback
sheet
Please download ‘Feedback sheet’ here. You are required to
1. submit the feedback sheet after every session. It can be reflected
in the participation score
2. Submit your feedback sheet via ‘Assignments’
manaba
Course News and
Threads
Supplementary information will be
Important information, such as
posted here.
notices about cancelled or make-
We sometimes use ‘Threads’ to do
up classes, will be posted here.
interactive dialogue in class
2) Class rules
-Late policy
-Use of AI
-Participation
Class Rules
[Link] SubmissionPolicy
If you delay submitting your assignments, you will
get a score deduction.
• 2% deduction: Assignment submitted on the
due date, but after the deadline time.
• 5% deduction: Assignment submitted one day
late.
• 5% deduction/ each extra day
2. AI Use Policy
You are not allowed to use AI (e.g., ChatGPT) for
your assignments without your instructor’s
permission.
If the use of AI is detected, you may be required to
speak with your instructor or attend a meeting
with the dean depending on the situation.
3. Participation
Criteria
• The student takes an active and meaningful role in group and pair activities.
• The student remains focused and engaged during individual work.
• The student listens attentively during instruction and explanations.
• The student responds appropriately and positively to the instructor’s
questions and directions.
• The student is punctual.
Active learning is
encouraged. Don’t be
afraid to make mistakes
in class!
3) Grading
・Participation (20%)
・Assignments (45%): Three assignments in total, given
approximately every four weeks.
・Final Presentation (20%): Presentation slides submission
deadline: by 17:00, one day before Session 12.
・Final Paper (750–1000 words) (15%): Submission deadline: by
17:00, one day before the final session.
manaba
02 Course Contents
What is research?
Researc
h p.9
Scientific Scientific Research
Research IS IS NOT
・simply gathering information or facts
・Structured and purposeful (both in
(though this may be in an important
gathering and interpreting data)
component of the process) ・divorced from
・Rigorous
practical life: some research deals with
・Robust and defensible abstract ideas or theoretical development;
・Systematic other types change the ‘real’ world and our
・More than gathering facts experience of it, often for the better
Natural
sciences Water is water,
regardless of who the
2H₂ + O ₂ = 2H₂O scientist studying it is.
Social
sciences Our research target is
“something of which we
are a part (p.19)”. What is ‘reality’
in the social world?
= a key philosophical question
O u r p h i lo s o p h i c a l
u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h e w o r ld
The way we do research
Research is more than gathering facts!
s t -
b e
m e t !
-t i u c
n g o d
l o p r
A l e r
se l
Which snack food is more popular,
Kinokono yama or Takenoko no sato?
Can it be research?
What is Quantitative Research?
Methods
Qualitative Research Methods Quantitative Research Methods
• Based on non-numerical data
(words, images, sounds, etc.) Based on quantifiable data (statistics,
• Uses data collection techniques such percentages, etc.)
as interviews, participant Uses data collection techniques such as
observation, focus groups, surveys, experiments, structured
ethnography observations
• Engages with thematical and Uncovers trends and relationships with
interpretative analysis of findings statistical analysis
• Suitable for conducting an in-depth Suitable for working with large amounts of
analysis of nuanced, non-quantifiable quantifiable data in order to produce
aspects of social phenomena generalizable results
(experiences, meanings, behaviors)
Simply put Methods
Qualitative Research Methods Quantitative Research Methods
• Based on non-numerical data
(words, images, sounds, etc.) Based on quantifiable data (statistics,
Qualitative research is generally
• Uses data collection techniques such percentages, etc.)
exploratory, and the data is Uses data collection techniques such as
as interviews, participant Quantitative research generally
analysed qualitatively (e.g., using surveys, experiments, structured
observation, focus groups, involves formulating hypotheses,
language, images and etc). The
ethnography observations
collecting numerical data, and
Uncovers trends and relationships with
main focus is
• Engages a discussion
with thematical and based
testing those
statistical hypotheses through
analysis
on ainterpretative analysisand
literature review of findings
• Suitable data
for conducting an in-depth statistical analysis.
Suitable for working with large amounts of
qualitative (as practiced in
analysis of nuanced, non-quantifiable quantifiable data in order to produce
Foundations in Research Skills I). generalizable results
aspects of social phenomena
(experiences, meanings, behaviors)
Different types of data (textual, numerical, visual)
What is
data?
Data is a set of values that can be analyzed and interpreted for
information.
These values can be numerical, textual, or visual.
Depending on the nature of data and our needs, we usually require some
initial cleaning and organization before analysis.
For example, numerical data can be organized in tables. Textual data is
usually "coded" to make it organized in a concise and systematic way.
Visual data can similarly be coded or transcribed to be used as textual
data.
Reference: Huseyin. (2023). Foundations in Research Skills 2
[Unpublished lecture slides]. Ritsumeikan University.
How can we quantify data in
quantitative research methods?
Warm-up
Activity
What kinds of information can we
collect from people in a
questionnaire?
be
i c li e fs
a p h
og r n
e m ti o
D m a r ,
f o r d e pref
i n g e n er ence
c e , s
( r a e ,
ag ty...) s
a li i t ude
i on at t
n a t
nc e s
pe r i e
e x
To analyze data quantitatively,
we first need to classify it.
Three criteria to classify
data when quantifying it and
conducting statistical
analysis
1. Nominal scale
There are only three
types of data used
2. Ordinal scale for comparison in
statistics.
3. Continuous scale
Nominal scale
It only concerns differences in categories.
It does not contain information about
quantitative relationships.
What kinds of data can be categorized in a
nominal scale?
Example
Nominal
s scale
women
bananas
orange apples
s Non-binary men
Yes/No responses
Category Gender
in a
Ordinal scale
It refers to data in which magnitude
or order has meaning. Intervals are
not equal.
What kinds of data can be categorized in an
ordinal scale?
Examples
Ordinal scale high
low
medium
level of satisfaction Grading into high,
Ranking
in a questionnaire medium, and low tiers
Continuous scale
Interval scale
• It has both order information and equal intervals.
• “0” simply denotes a point or level on the scale rather
than an absolute nothingness.
Ratio scale
• It has both order information and equal
intervals.
• “0” indicates a true absence.
What kinds of data can be
categorized in continuous scale?
Continuous scale
Ratio scale Interval A test score of zero is merely a
convenient measurement
scale baseline and does not indicate
an absolute lack of ability, which
is why test scores are classified
as an interval scale.
A price of zero truly means
that the value does not exist,
which is why price is
classified as a ratio scale.
weight, price, time, and temperature (celsius)
height etc. and test scores etc.
Group Work Activity
1
Scale Quiz
Which type of scale does the following data belong
to?
Q1. Height of classmates (cm)
Q2. Having a pet (Yes / No)
Q3. Course satisfaction (Very satisfied / Satisfied / Neutral /
Dissatisfied / Very dissatisfied)
Q4. Place of origin (Kansai / Kanto / Kyushu)
Q5. University Ranking (1st, 2nd, 3rd, …)
👉 Answer key
Q1: Continuous (Ratio
scale)
Q2: Nominal
Q3: Ordinal
Q4: Nominal
Q5: Ordinal
What is the goal of this course when we use
measurement scales?
The final goal of this course is to quantify the results of
people’s opinions obtained through surveys and to conduct
statistical analysis, specifically by identifying two variables
and examining the relationship between them.
Since this is a course for learning the basics of quantitative
research, we will choose more limited methods from among
the many available statistical techniques, focusing on the
chi-square test.
In this course,
we are going to use a “nominal scale”
and “ordinal scale” in order to
investigate your research questions!
Once the measurement scale is identified, the choice
of statistical analysis method/statistical test is almost
automatically determined.
This course focuses on nominal scales and ordinal scales. For those who would like
to go further and work with continuous scales or more advanced statistical
techniques, I encourage you to take other classe in the future! Please let me know!
Although there are many
Combinations of Variable Scales and Statistical Analysis Methods and Statistical Test
difficult technical terms, it
is enough to remember
that the chi-square test is
appropriate when
analysing data measured
with nominal and ordinal
scales.
03 Research Topics
Group Work Activity 2
[Link] a topic you are interested in.
[Link] what type of scale would be needed to
study it.
Topic 1: Gender and Education
• How do university students in Japan perceive gender
equality on campus?
• How does intercultural experience influence students’
attitudes toward gender equality?
• How is motivation to take part in study-abroad programs
different for male and female students?
• What differences exist in career aspirations between
male and female undergraduates in Japan?
• To what extent do extracurricular sports activities
reinforce or challenge gender stereotypes among
students?
Topic 2: Social Media and Youth
• How do young people and middle-aged/older adults perceive the
role of social networking sites (SNSs) in daily life?
• How does social media shape students’ attitudes toward social
issues (e.g., environment, politics, diversity)?
• How do students who primarily obtain news through social
media perceive traditional journalism?
• How does exposure to social media shape students’ views on
ideal careers?
• How do young people perceive the credibility of information
shared on social media?
Topic 3: Work and Family Roles
• What are university students’ attitudes toward paternity
leave in Japan?
• How do part-time job experiences influence students’ views
on their career prospects?
• How do students perceive the “double burden” of working
outside the home and doing household chores?
• How has the COVID-19 pandemic influenced students’
attitudes toward flexible working arrangements?
• How do university students think about caring for their
parents?
Topic 4: Media and Popular Culture
• What differences can be found in male and female
students’ perceptions of idol culture?
• How do students perceive the influence of memes and
internet humour on public opinion and social issues?
• What impact do celebrity endorsements on social media
have on students’ purchasing decisions?
• How do international students in Japan consume anime
differently from domestic students?
• What are the differences between international and
Japanese students in their attitudes toward self-disclosure
on SNSs?
Topic 5: Interpersonal Relationships
• What role does popular culture (e.g., K-pop, J-pop,
dramas, anime) play in shaping students’ expectations
of romantic relationships?
• What impact does social media use have on the
quality of students’ offline friendships?
• What is the relationship between students’ stress
levels and their satisfaction with interpersonal
relationships?
• How does living in a dormitory versus living at home
affect students’ interpersonal relationships?
• How does participation in sports activities influence
students’ interpersonal trust?
04 Homework
Next week, we will use Excel in class. Please install it
on your computer if you haven’t done so yet.
Ritsumeikan University students can install it from here.↓
[Link]
In Session 2, you will explore your chosen topic in more depth. Please
think about which topic you are interested in and can research.
Since you will conduct a questionnaire and analyze the data in this
course, also please consider who you can give your questionnaire to
and whether your reseearch is realistic.