About CASS
CASS is a programme of short courses in applied social surveys run by the Southampton Statistical Sciences Research Institute (S3RI) at the University of Southampton. Since April 2009 it is part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods (NCRM). The programme is funded by the ESRC currently until 2014. It continues the successful short course programme run by the ESRC Centre for Applied Social Surveys between 1995 and 2005.
The programme covers all aspects of the quantitative survey process from design to data collection and analysis. The courses aim to provide guidance and workshop practice for researchers who face practical survey tasks and decisions, such as how to draw a sample, how to design a questionnaire and how to analyse a data set.
All CASS presenters are highly qualified and experienced in delivering short courses in a professional environment and to a high standard. CASS regularly attracts international presenters and experts in their fields. At least one course each year is delivered by staff from the US Joint Programme in Survey Methodology at the University of Maryland.
Courses are usually 2 to 3 days long and may vary from introductory, intermediate to more advanced levels. Teaching is interactive and responsive to course participants' needs - a dynamic learning environment is created through the use of mixed teaching techniques. All courses include practical sessions or computer workshops to enable participants to put the learned methods into practice. Courses are run in all regions of the UK, in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.