Course 2015-2016 a.y.

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


BIG

Department of Decision Sciences

Course taught in English

Go to class group/s: 23
BIG (6 credits - II sem. - OB  |  SECS-S/01)
Course Director:
LORENZO PECCATI

Classes: 23 (II sem.)
Instructors:
Class 23: ANNE MARIE JEANNET



Course Objectives

This course is introduction to both the logic and mathematics of statistics, with an emphasis on political science applications. The first half of the course covers introductory univariate statistics, while the second half of the course focuses on bivariate relationships in statistics. In the classroom, the teaching will mix a conceptual instruction of statistics with practical data exercises in STATA.

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 and provide a supportive learning environment for all willing students, especially those who feel intimidated by quantitative material.


Course Content Summary

  • Measuring political concepts (quantifying concepts, units of analysis, measurement error).
  • Describing Variables (central tendency, dispersion, standard deviation).
  • Thinking Probabilistically (elementary probability, estimating probability under the normal curve).
  • The Foundations of Statistical Inference (sampling, random selection, point and interval estimation).
  • Making Comparisons and Framing Hypotheses (multivariate distributions, hypothesis testing, t-distribution, t-test, statistical significance, type I and II errors).
  • Measures of Association (correlation, chi-squared test).
  • Simple Linear Regression (OLS, sum of squares, f-test, assumptions).

Detailed Description of Assessment Methods

The final mark is the sum of partial marks, obtained through:
  • 6 individual homework assignments during the course (max 6 points);
  • 2 written partial exams or a general written exam (max 25 points);
30 cum laude is obtained with 31 points.

Textbooks

  • P. Pollock,  The Essentials of Political Analysis, Sage (including the STATA companion book), 2012, 4th edition.
  • A. AgrestiStatistical Methods for the Social Sciences,Pearson, 2014 , 4th edition.
  • Lecture Slides made available on e-learning
Exam textbooks & Online Articles (check availability at the Library)

Prerequisites

Attendance of the course QUANTITATIVE METHODS FOR SOCIAL SCIENCES (MODULE I - MATHEMATICS).
Last change 21/04/2015 16:39