Analysis of Political Data

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

This course introduces students to the use of methods of analyzing quantitative information to solve political science research problems. After completing the course, students will be able to: 1) evaluate basic quantitative empirical social science research, 2) begin to conduct their own quantitative empirical research, and 3) take more advanced training in quantitative research methods. The course proceeds in two phases. In the first phase, students become familiar with the rules of descriptive and causal inference. Students begin to learn how to develop and frame a research question in terms of a substantive political science research problem. Students also acquire experience with formulating and appraising research hypotheses, measuring political phenomena, and evaluating basic sample designs. The second phase provides students with a foundation in statistical and visual methods of analyzing quantitative information. Topics include, but are not limited to, describing bivariate relationships, point and interval estimation, null hypothesis significance testing, effect size estimation, and multivariate analysis (up to and including multivariate regression). Students also receive introductions to probability theory, sample power estimation, and the analysis of complex survey data. Credits: 3 Prerequisites: High-school algebra and enrollment in an M.A. program administered by the Department of Government.