This is the second course in the quantitative sequence of research methods in politics. It reinforces students’ understanding of linear and non-linear regression analysis. Although the course will cover the goals and mathematical assumptions behind statistical techniques, the emphasis will be on skills for analysing data and interpreting results. in particular, students will gain first-hand experience of analysing survey data. Data will be drawn from a range of domestic and international examples in political science and related social science disciplines. Students also develop basic ideas about how to use survey experiments to study political preferences and behaviours. On completion of the course students will have a set of skills that can be applied to an array of academic research and policy evaluation problems.
Course topics covered:
- Causal Inference and Counterfactuals
- Linear Regression I
- Linear Regression II
- Logistic Regression I
- Logistic Regression II
- Nonparametric Regression
- Matching and Weighting
- Survey Design
- Analysing Survey Data
- Missing Data and Imputation Methods
- Introduction to Survey Experiment
- Data Visualization
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Explain the complexity of contemporary politics from the perspective of solid research design and empirical analysis;
- Apply a range of basic descriptive and inferential quantitative techniques to analyse political phenomena;
- Generate, explain and visualize descriptive and basic inferential statistics for political and social phenomena in particular from survey data
- Understand how to create, analyze, and interpret quantitative data, especially survey data
- Analyze and evaluate quantitative research designs, including the use of experimental designs
Indicative Assessment
- Statistical analysis assignments (40) [LO 2,3,4]
- In-class exams (20) [LO 1,2,3]
- Final replication project (40) [LO 2,3,4,5]
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Workload
12 x 2 hour lectures; 12 x 1 hour labs; 4 x 1.5 hour in-class exams; 12 x 7 hours of assessment preparation, reading, and final assessment preparation.
Inherent Requirements
N/A
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Imai, Kosuke. Quantitative social science: An introduction. Princeton University Press, 2018.
Preliminary Reading
Imai, Kosuke. Quantitative social science: An introduction. Princeton University Press, 2018.
Wooldridge, Jeffrey M. Introductory econometrics: A modern approach. Nelson Education, 2016.
Angrist, Joshua D., and Jörn-Steffen Pischke. Mostly harmless econometrics: An empiricist's companion. Princeton university press, 2008.
Assumed Knowledge
Basic introduction to statistics, means, medians, modes; introduction to linear regression (equivalent to content of POLS8042).
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $4110 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $5880 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
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