30320 - QUANTITATIVE METHODS FOR SOCIAL SCIENCES (MODULE II - STATISTICS)

This course provides an introduction to both the logic and mathematics of statistics, with an emphasis on political science applications. The course introduces students to the practice of data analysis, covering univariate and bivariate descriptive statistics and inference. Emphasis is put on the investigation and statistical assessment of relationships between two or more variables. The lectures switch between frontal lecturing, small group discussions and simulations. Students should bring their laptop to each session. Each session is indeed designed with the aim of fostering independent work by students, who are strongly encouraged to autonomously explore and apply the techniques shown and discussed by the instructor. The analyses are run using STATA with an emphasis on an effective use of the software and interpretation of results. In sum, this course aims to cultivate students’ nascent analytical abilities and develop their statistical reasoning and literacy; equip students with a computational competence in STATA software in a supportive learning environment for all students.

• Describing data through tables, charts and synthetic measures.
• Describing association between two variables.
• Inference on the mean and the proportion: point estimation, confidence interval estimation and significance tests.
• Inference on bivariate associations: two-samples t test and chi-square test of independence.
• Correlation analysis.
• Regression analysis: simple linear regression and multiple linear regression.

• Read reports and scientific articles that make use of basic statistical techniques.
• Learn more advanced statistical techniques.
• Set up and run empirical analyses, that require the use of basic statistical techniques to study relevant problems in Economics, Sociology and Political and other Social Sciences.

• Use a statistical software (STATA) for data management and to implement basic statistical techniques for the empirical part of social sciences study.

• Face-to-face lectures
• Exercises (exercises, database, software etc.)
• Group assignments

• Exercises are delivered through Bboard platform for E-Learning. They are multiple choice questions, with solutions provided as feedbacks.
• Group assignments are run as marked in-class activities. Students are asked to analyse a provided dataset and write a report with the interpretation of the analyses, to be posted through Bboard platform for E-Learning. An evaluation grid is provided.

• Four tests or a general written exam, all held in a IT room.
  • The four tests are delivered through Bboard platform for E-Learning and graded out of 31. Students are asked to answer multiple choice questions both on the theory and on the basis of the results of a data analysis with STATA. The arithmetic average of the four tests grade contributes 80% to the final mark.
  • The general exam has open ended questions to be answered on the basis of the theory or of the results of a data analysis with STATA. The general exam is graded out of 31 and contributes 80% to the final mark.
• In-class marked activities graded out of 31. Students are asked to run a group project consisting in an analysis of a provided dataset with STATA. A report with the results of the analysis is submitted through Bboard platform for E-Learning at the end of the activities.
• The in-class activities mark contribute 20% to the final mark.

One general exam with open ended questions to be answered on the basis of the theory or of the results of a data analysis with STATA. The general exam is graded out of 31.

• P. POLLOCK, The Essentials of Political Analysis, Sage, 2016, 5th edition (selected chapters).
• P. POLLOCK, A Stata Companion to Political Analysis, Sage, 2015, 3rd edition (selected chapters).
• A. AGRESTI, C.FRANKLIN, B. KLINGENBERG, Statistics: The Art and Science of Learning from Data, Pearson 2017, Global Edition (selected chapters).
• Online exercises delivered through Bboard platform.