Studiegids

nl en

Quantitative Research Methods

Vak
2017-2018

Admission requirements

MSc International Relations and Diplomacy students.

Description

This course explores various statistical methods as applied to international relations and comparative politics. It starts with simple, but essential, descriptive statistics. It further introduces learners to the topics of inferential statistics and, notably, linear and logistic regressions. After dealing with cross-sectional data, the course extends the models to include a time dimension through panel data models. The course finishes with the cutting-edge methods related to natural experiments and data visualization.

Course objectives

By the end of this course, the learners will be able to

  1. identify data relevant for various research questions related to international relations or comparative politics;
  2. describe and analyze the data with modern quantitative research methods techniques;
  3. interpret the results of quantitative analysis;
  4. evaluate and critique a research design; and
  5. distinguish between the concept of causality and correlation.

Timetable

See the link on the front page of this programme

Mode of instruction

This course is a mix of lectures and tutorials. Tutorials serve to put theory into practice and get a good command of statistical software.

Course Load

5 EC

Assessment method

Final grades are calculated based on four components:

  • On-line test (10%),

  • Written assignment I (30%),

  • Written assignment II (30%),

  • Written assignment III (30%).

Details for submitting papers (deadlines) are posted on Blackboard.

You can find more information about assessments and the timetable exams on the website.
Details for submitting papers (deadlines) are posted on Blackboard.

Blackboard

To be announced.

Reading list

  • Diez, David, Christopher Barr and Mine Cetinkaya-Rundel (2015). OpenIntro Statistics. Third Edition. Available under a Creative Commons license. Visit the website of OpenIntro for a free PDF, to download the textbook's source files, or for more information about the license.

  • Khandker, Shahidur R., Gayatri B. Koolwal and Hussain A. Samad (2010). Handbook on Impact Evaluation: Quantitative Methods and Practices. World Bank. Visit the webiste of the World Bank Group to download a free copy. License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.

  • Academic articles announced before the lectures.

Registration

Use both uSis and Blackboard to register for every course.
Register for every course and workgroup via uSis. Some courses and workgroups have a limited number of participants, so register on time (before the course starts). In uSis you can access your personal schedule and view your results. Registration in uSis is possible from four weeks before the start of the course.
Also register for every course in Blackboard. Important information about the course is posted here.

Contact

Dr. Jaroslaw Kantorowicz

Remarks

This course will be offered for second year MIRD students in block 1 and for first year MIRD students in block 3.