This project report deals with quantitative analysis of data collected for purpose of my Master thesis “The ERASMUS Programme as Promoter of Tolerance comparing Latvia to France, Switzerland and Hungary”. There is analyzed data set, design of questionnaire and variables, hypotheses, assumptions of parametric data, Pearson correlation coefficient, homogeneity of variance, Spearman’s Rho and Kendall’s tau, causality, regression etc.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Theory
Data set
Design of questionnaire and variables
Hypotheses
Results
I Assumptions of parametric data
a) Normally distributed data
b) Homogeneity of variance
c) Interval data
d) Independence
II Pearson correlation coeeficient
There is no correlation between social distance and stereotypes!
There is correlation between friendship and trustness!
a) Causality
b) R squared
III Spearman’s Rho and Kendall’s tau
IV Regression
V Regression diagnostics
Conclusion
Research Objectives and Topics
The paper aims to empirically examine the impact of the ERASMUS Programme on promoting tolerance among students in Switzerland, focusing on the relationships between social distance, inter-group trust, and stereotyping.
- The role of the ERASMUS Programme in fostering multicultural experiences.
- Measurement of social distance and its correlation with communicative behavior.
- Analysis of friendship ties and their influence on inter-group trust.
- Evaluation of how students gain or relinquish ethnic stereotypes during exchange periods.
- Methodological application of Pearson correlation and regression analysis to survey data.
Excerpt from the Book
Theory
Timo Makkonen defines social distance as a lack of social interaction with group members who have negative or prejudiced attitudes. He concludes that negative feelings lead to social distance, which consequently creates stereotypes. Thus, he stresses that positive experience reduces inter-group social distance, which, in turn, breaks negative stereotypes and negative feelings, which evolves into positive feelings. The most effective way for this exchange will take place between people of similar status (Makkonen in Scheinin & Toivanen, 2004: 161, 163-164).
Oakes, Haslam and Turner found that stereotypes are not fixed but may vary. These authors conclude that we try to believe that the group, to which we belong, is better than the group to which we do not (1994, 211-212). Makkonen defined prejudices as unreasonably formed opinions and feelings caused by lack of knowledge, so in order to combat prejudices; it has to contend with the social distance, stereotypes and negative feelings (Makkonen, 2006: 8-9). He also offers the following relationships between stereotypes and prejudices.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides an overview of the data collection process in Switzerland and outlines the scope of the comparative Master thesis project.
Theory: Discusses key sociological concepts including social distance, intergroup contact hypothesis, and the formation of stereotypes and prejudices.
Data set: Describes the demographic characteristics of the 105 surveyed ETH students and the timeframe of the study.
Design of questionnaire and variables: Details the operationalization of variables such as social distance, inter-trust, and multicultural experience within the research instrument.
Hypotheses: Formulates two null and alternative hypotheses regarding the correlations between social distance, stereotypes, friendship, and trust.
Results: Presents the statistical analysis of the survey, covering parametric assumptions, Pearson correlation, causality, R-squared values, and regression diagnostics.
Conclusion: Summarizes the key findings, reflects on the validity of the data, and identifies improvements for future research, such as using Likert scales.
Keywords
ERASMUS Programme, Tolerance, Social Distance, Intergroup Contact, Stereotypes, Inter-trust, Quantitative Analysis, Switzerland, Higher Education, Student Exchange, Friendship Ties, Correlation, Causality, Survey Research, Multicultural Experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this research paper?
The paper analyzes the impact of the ERASMUS exchange programme on promoting tolerance among students, specifically examining the dynamics between social distance, friendship, trust, and stereotypes.
What are the central thematic areas?
The central themes include multicultural experience, intergroup contact, the reduction of prejudice through friendship, and the statistical measurement of social tolerance.
What is the primary research question of the study?
The study investigates whether participation in the ERASMUS programme effectively promotes tolerance, specifically looking for correlations between social distance, trust, and stereotyping.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The author uses quantitative survey data analyzed through Pearson correlation coefficients, regression analysis, and diagnostic testing to assess relationships between variables.
What is covered in the main section?
The main section covers the theoretical framework, the research design including variable definitions, and a detailed statistical analysis of survey results compared against two primary hypotheses.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include ERASMUS Programme, social distance, intergroup contact, stereotyping, trust, quantitative analysis, and student exchange.
Why did the author conclude that the first null hypothesis could not be rejected?
The empirical results showed no significant correlation between social distance and stereotypes, suggesting that the specific question asked in the survey may have been insufficient to capture these complex shifts.
What is the "Third Variable Problem" mentioned in the causality analysis?
The author explains that bivariate correlation cannot definitively prove causation because unmeasured or 'third' variables may influence both dependent and independent variables simultaneously.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Karina Oborune (Autor:in), 2009, The ERASMUS Programme as Tolerance Promoter (case of Switzerland), München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/160071
