Computational Research Design

Undergraduate / Graduate

This course focuses on applying computational methods to conducting social scientific research and the development of a strong research proposal. Students will identify a research question of their own interest that involves a direct reference to social scientific theory, the use of data, and a significant computational component. The students will review existing literature, identify an appropriate data source and conduct exploratory analysis, or develop a method (e.g. survey, experiment) through which they plan on collecting data, and generate a complete and well-motivated research proposal. The course will include modules on theoretical and practical considerations, including topics such as epistemological questions about research design, conducting literature reviews, data visualization and interpretation, reproducible research, writing and rhetoric, as well as presenting work to an audience.