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This module has two main aims: to introduce to a set of advanced statistical methods that are commonly used in quantitative social research; and, to prepare to make use of statistics in future research works, academic (such as master's or PhD dissertations) or extra-academic. The module is taught over term 2. Seminars are designed as ‘hands-on’ computer workshops, giving you direct experience of exploring and analysing data in the R environment. Applications and exercises will be based on existing, real-world, high-quality survey datasets. By the end of the module you should understand the basic principles of the statistical methods covered, appreciate their context of application, and knowhow to apply them and interpret their results.
PO92Qand PO91Q compare as follows:
- PO92Q builds directly on PO91Q, or on equivalent previous training. If you have not attended PO91Q, please contact me, so as to make sure that PO92Q suits your needs and skills. PO91Q focused on the fundamental principles of data analysis. PO92Q goes more in depth into the same principles, and elaborates further.
- Continuity on how seminars are run: weekly exercises should be practiced before the class. Attendance is required and participation encouraged. Seminar classes are for sharing solutions and Q&A—you should prepare the exercises before the class, not discover them in class.
- Difference in style. insistence is put on intuitive and visual demonstrations of concepts and methods, more than equations as in PO91Q. Visuals and words are capable of expressing statistics, both in the teaching and in your personal projects. However those keen in equations will be free to display them in exercises and assessment.
- Partial difference in data: we will focus on four large survey datasets (see list in section 5 below), some of which were used in PO91Q exercises. Essay titles will only refer to the BSA, the ESS and the WVS, but transposing a title to the BES is an option for those interested.
- Difference in assessment: One report based on pre-approved titles (instead of an examination in PO91Q). PO92Q insists more on the necessity of developing a personal research project, up to writing down the results. To achieve this, some exercises will be replaced by the analysis of the methodological content of published journal articles.
To succeed in this module, it is not enough to attend, listen and review the exercises’ solutions. You need to engage actively with all the module content: follow lectures and case studies, do relevant readings, take quizzes, solve exercises, and work regularly on your personal projects. |
If you have concerns about your ability to access the module content due to any kind of disability or practical issue, please contact me and will do my best to accommodate. I aim to deliver the module material in a format that is convenient for all participants to use. Live Lecture Capture records of lectures will be available on Moodle shortly after the lectures, with captions. Unfortunately seminar recording is impossible for legal reasons.
2. Weekly timetable
Weeks 1-5 and 7-10 for lecture, seminar and individual advice & feedback hours. Week 6 (14/15 February), a.k.a. “reading week”, is not taught.