SOCB35H3

Distributed: January 25, 2020

Due: February 8, 2020
Weight: 15%

ASSIGNMENT 1:
Quantitative reflection assignment on the data collection and analysis process

RATIONALE:
“Statistical information did not fall from the sky like some pure reflection of a preexisting ‘reality’.”
(Desrosières, 1995, p. 325)
-Former head of the French national statistical and economic studies institute,
Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques (INSEE)

As quantitative social science researchers, our research objects – ideas, identities or forms of
social belonging - are immaterial, visible only through their manifestations. They are not
physical things that we can grasp and manipulate using the same research approaches as some of
our natural science peers. As a result, we rely on complex processes of social inquiry, defined by
a wide variety of institutional priorities and constraints, in order to construct and understand the
empirical social phenomena that we hope to understand.

In this assignment, we will reflect generally on the social processes and priorities used to
construct and analyse quantitative data. We will do this by looking specifically at Feir and
Hancock’s (2016) “Guide to Reconciliation for Social Scientists”, a series of recommendations
identifying ways that quantitative Canadian social science researchers could modify their
research process to better address the national call for reconciliation with indigenous
communities that emerged from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. This text
gives us a nuanced example of the various factors that can influence the formation and
interpretation of quantitative data

INSTRUCTIONS
• Read this article (available on Quercus):
o Feir, D. and Hancock, R.L.A. (2016) Answering the call: A guide for reconciliation
for quantitative social scientists. Canadian Public Policy. 42 (3) 350-365
• Answer the three comprehension questions below
• Each response should be 200-300 words in length
• Each response will be graded out of 5 for a total of 15 marks
• Each response should use APA or ASA citation format
o Include page references
• Submit to Quercus as a Word or PDF document

1
QUESTIONS:

1) What is reconciliation and why do Feir and Hancock (2016) argue that Canadian
quantitative social scientists have a role to play in the process of reconciliation through
their research work? (200-300 words)
/5

2) Identify and discuss two social research areas where quantitative social science
researchers could make significant contributions to reconciliation according to Feir and
Hancock (2016). Include an example of a specific data collection or data analysis
strategies suggested by Feir and Hancock (2016) for each social research area that you
discuss in your response. (200-300 words)
/5

3) Discuss two of the ways that Feir and Hancock (2016) suggest quantitative social science
researchers working with indigenous communities could modify their data collection or
data analysis strategies in order to better respond to the needs of this diverse community.
(200-300 words)
/5

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Total: /15