040088 UE Empirical Methods I (MA) (2024S)

This course is an introductory class on empirical methods and data analysis which precedes the follow-up class “Empirical Methods II”. The goal of this introductory course is for students to learn the fundamental techniques and obtain the basic skills required in empirical research. Our theoretical sessions will cover tools and stages required for running empirical projects (e.g. research design, measurement types, methods of data collection, basic descriptive statistics) with a special focus on the pre-evaluation stage of an empirical work. Our applied sessions will introduce the students to basic STATA skills, allowing them to prepare their data for analysis using statistical programming software. Students will participate by reading and presenting scientific articles in some of the highest ranked strategy journals. Knowledge gained in this course is also applied during a project where students actively develop the necessary steps for conducting their own empirical research projects. In this spirit, students are required to obtain real-world data for their basic descriptives in Empirical Methods I and the subsequent proposition testing in Empirical Methods II.
This course is highly interactive and built around the idea of a laboratory setup as is typical for social sciences. The setup necessitates certain software and IT equipment. To provide every student the same opportunity to successfully participate in the course, it is held in one of the PC-labs at the OMP 1. The class is hence held in-person with selected sessions held via Zoom. The exact format of individual sessions will be announced during Session 1! For both online meetings, students are required to ensure stable Internet connection and be able to join using their web cameras as well! Hence, not only an audio connection, also a video connection is required! The majority of all sessions, as well as the exam will be held in person.

This course is an introductory class on empirical methods and data analysis which precedes the follow-up class “Empirical Methods II”. The goal of this introductory course is for students to learn the fundamental techniques and obtain the basic skills required in empirical research. Our theoretical sessions will cover tools and stages required for running empirical projects (e.g. research design, measurement types, methods of data collection, basic descriptive statistics) with a special focus on the pre-evaluation stage of empirical work. Our applied sessions will introduce the students to basic STATA skills, allowing them to prepare their data for analysis using statistical programming software. Students will participate by reading and presenting scientific articles in some of the highest-ranked strategy journals. Knowledge gained in this course is also applied during a project where students actively develop the necessary steps for conducting their own empirical research projects. In this spirit, students are required to obtain real-world data for their basic descriptives in Empirical Methods I and the subsequent proposition testing in Empirical Methods II.

This course is highly interactive and built around the idea of a laboratory setup as is typical for social sciences. The setup necessitates certain software and IT equipment. To provide every student the same opportunity to successfully participate in the course, it is usually held in one of the PC-labs at the OMP1. Given the current Covid-19 situation, however, but also our goal to maintain a high quality and interactive class, this semester, the class should be held online via Zoom with only the exam-session taking place at the university. In this spirit, students are required to ensure stable Internet connection and be able to join using their web cameras as well. Hence, not only an audio connection, but also a video connection is required! In all sessions held in-person at the university campus, students are required to attend respecting the 2,5G-rule (vaccinated, PCR-tested, or recovered). Please note that entry regulations for the university building are subject to change and students will be informed in case of changes. The exact format of individual sessions will be announced in due time! For now, please refer to the information indicated above the class schedule.