MULTILEVEL MODELLING FOR SOCIAL SCIENTISTS - 2021/2

Module Overview

Complex structures exist in the social world and can influence the experiences of individuals – for example, the school you attend can have an impact on the grades you achieve and future life chances, and life expectancy varies dramatically across neighbourhoods, even in the same city. This module introduces statistical methods for dealing effectively with these types of data structures, enabling us to make robust inferences about the effects of groups, individuals, and the effects of being in a particular group on different individuals.

We will start by covering some of the basic concepts in multilevel modelling and the fundamentals of random intercept and random coefficient models. We will then move on to consider more advanced topics including: nonlinear models for binary responses, repeated measures, and cross-classified models. Throughout the course, the emphasis will be on the practical issues involved in multilevel modelling and the critical interpretation of results, rather than on the underlying statistical derivations.

Module provider

Sociology

Module Leader

BRUNTON-SMITH Ian (Sociology)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

Students must have completed SOCM010 (Social data analytics), or be able to demonstrate that they have received an equivalent level of quantitative methods training

Module content

This module provides a thorough discussion of multilevel models and demonstrates how they can be deployed to answer social science questions. The module content will cover:

• Multilevel data structures


• Random intercept models


• Random coefficient models


• Context effects and cross-level interactions


• Multilevel models for binary responses


• Longitudinal modelling


• Cross-classified data structures

Hands on practical workshops will provide students with experience of:

• Fitting multilevel models to real world data


• Models designed to deal with linear and binary responses


• Models for cross-classified data structures


• Analysing longitudinal data

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate:

A detailed understanding of how to use multilevel models to account for complex data structures. Using real data, students will estimate random intercept and random coefficient models, requiring them to make appropriate modelling decisions and to correctly interpret the model output. They will also demonstrate their ability to judge the fir of their models, and discuss their implications.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

A two part analytic report (4,000 words) where students will conduct multilevel modelling and write up their results.

Formative assessment and feedback

Students will be able to complete workshop exercises during days 1-3 of the short-course, giving them the chance to discuss the answers with each other and the lecturer. Day 4 of the course is devoted to independent study, where students will be able to make initial progress on their assignment. All students will be invited back to the classroom on day 5 where there will be additional opportunities to receive formative feedback from the lecturer and other students.

Module aims

• • Provide a clear description, definition, and discussion of multilevel modelling, including the sorts of data structures it is appropriate for
• • Give students a thorough understanding of random intercept and random coefficient models, and discuss how results from these models should be interpreted
• • Enable students to critically evaluate the findings of existing studies using multilevel modelling, recognising the strengths and weaknesses of the approach
• • Introduce students to a number of advanced multilevel approaches, including models for longitudinal data, variance functions, and cross-classified models
• • Provide practical experience of estimating multilevel models in R

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Provide students with a thorough understanding of when and how to use multilevel modelling to account for clustered data structures. Alongside engagement with the theoretical underpinnings of these methods, the hands on workshops will give students practical experience of using multilevel models, and how they should be applied. Students will also learn to correctly interpret the results from multilevel models and draw inferences about the social world.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Lectures


• Practical workshops


• Group discussions

This module is taught intensively during one-week. Days 1-3 will consist of a combination of lectures and hands on practical sessions fitting multilevel models in R (www.r-project.org). Day 4 is devoted to independent study, allowing students to undertake preparatory work on their assignment. Finally, on day 5 students will get the opportunity to receive formative feedback on their initial assignment plans and peer feedback during group discussion. Students will then complete their practical assignment.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: SOCM057

Other information

N/A

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.