Universität Wien

210017 UE BAK4.2: Quantitative Methods of Empirical Social Research (2018W)

(engl.)

6.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 21 - Politikwissenschaft
Continuous assessment of course work

A registration via u:space during the registration phase is required. Late registrations are NOT possible.
Students who miss the first lesson without prior notification will lose their seat in the course.

Follow the principles of good scientific practice.

The course instructor may invite students to an oral exam about the student’s written contributions in the course. Plagiarized contributions have the consequence that the course won’t be graded (instead the course will be marked with an ‘X’ in the transcript of records).

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 35 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

No class on Wednesday 30 January. The last class will be on 23 January.

  • Wednesday 10.10. 13:30 - 14:45 PC-Raum 2 UniCampus Hof 7 Eingang 7.1 2H-O1-25
  • Wednesday 17.10. 13:30 - 14:45 PC-Raum 2 UniCampus Hof 7 Eingang 7.1 2H-O1-25
  • Wednesday 24.10. 13:30 - 14:45 PC-Raum 2 UniCampus Hof 7 Eingang 7.1 2H-O1-25
  • Wednesday 31.10. 13:30 - 14:45 PC-Raum 2 UniCampus Hof 7 Eingang 7.1 2H-O1-25
  • Wednesday 07.11. 13:30 - 14:45 PC-Raum 2 UniCampus Hof 7 Eingang 7.1 2H-O1-25
  • Wednesday 14.11. 13:30 - 14:45 PC-Raum 2 UniCampus Hof 7 Eingang 7.1 2H-O1-25
  • Wednesday 21.11. 13:30 - 14:45 PC-Raum 2 UniCampus Hof 7 Eingang 7.1 2H-O1-25
  • Wednesday 28.11. 13:30 - 14:45 PC-Raum 2 UniCampus Hof 7 Eingang 7.1 2H-O1-25
  • Wednesday 05.12. 13:30 - 14:45 PC-Raum 2 UniCampus Hof 7 Eingang 7.1 2H-O1-25
  • Wednesday 12.12. 13:30 - 14:45 PC-Raum 2 UniCampus Hof 7 Eingang 7.1 2H-O1-25
  • Wednesday 09.01. 13:30 - 14:45 PC-Raum 2 UniCampus Hof 7 Eingang 7.1 2H-O1-25
  • Wednesday 16.01. 13:30 - 14:45 PC-Raum 2 UniCampus Hof 7 Eingang 7.1 2H-O1-25
  • Wednesday 23.01. 13:30 - 14:45 PC-Raum 2 UniCampus Hof 7 Eingang 7.1 2H-O1-25
  • Wednesday 30.01. 13:30 - 14:45 PC-Raum 2 UniCampus Hof 7 Eingang 7.1 2H-O1-25

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Learn the "tools" for conducting quantitative research:
a) Principles and methods of quantitative empirical social research.
- What are the key features of empirical research based on quantitative methods?
b) Overview of basic statistics and their application.
- How can I describe and recode the collected "data"?
c) Learning basic commands of the statistical software Stata.
- How can I process my data efficiently?
d) Learning how to use Stata to analyze data and test hypotheses that are relevant in the social science.
- How can I test my hypotheses given the available data?

Assessment and permitted materials

The final assessment will be based on the following components:
(1) Regular attendance in class (maximum 2 classes can be missed)
(2) 3 short homework assignments (30% of final grade). The assignments will be posted on Moodle at the end of the class, and have to be completed before the beginning of the following class. Joint homework is possible for maximum 2 students.
(3) 1 short test in December (20% of final grade). The test will be conducted in class and will concern theoretical questions and/or interpretation of Stata outputs. Duration: max 45 minutes.
(4) Final assignment (50% of final grade). At the end of the course, the students will be required to write a final paper of 2000-2500 words, focusing mostly on methods with applications in Stata. Detailed instructions about the final assignment will be posted on Moodle and circulated in class before the end of the course. Joint work is NOT allowed for the final assignment. Final assignments need to be handed in by 31 March 2019.

Please note that all four components are essential for the final grade, i.e. students have to be present in class, hand in 3 homework assignments, complete the short test in December, and hand in the final assignment.

In cases of suspected plagiarism, students may be called upon to reasonably demonstrate that any work they have submitted is their own.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

The final assessment will be based on the following components:
(1) Regular attendance in class (maximum 2 classes can be missed)
(2) 3 short homework assignments (30% of final grade). The assignments will be posted on Moodle at the end of the class, and have to be completed before the beginning of the following class. Joint homework is possible for maximum 2 students.
(3) 1 short test in December (20% of final grade). The test will be conducted in class and will concern theoretical questions and/or interpretation of Stata outputs. Duration: max 45 minutes.
(4) Final assignment (50% of final grade). At the end of the course, the students will be required to write a final paper of 2000-2500 words, focusing mostly on methods with applications in Stata. Detailed instructions about the final assignment will be posted on Moodle and circulated in class before the end of the course. Joint work is NOT allowed for the final assignment. Final assignments need to be handed in by 31 March 2019.

Please note that all four components are essential for the final grade, i.e. students have to be present in class, hand in 3 homework assignments, complete the short test in December, and hand in the final assignment.

In cases of suspected plagiarism, students may be called upon to reasonably demonstrate that any work they have submitted is their own.

Examination topics

In addition to the homework assignments and the short test in December, the students have to hand in a final assignment by 31 March 2019. The final assignment will focus on different topics covered in class, and will include basic data analysis using the Stata commands learnt in class. Detailed instructions about the final assignment will be posted on Moodle and circulated in class before the end of the course.

Reading list

Reading materials will be made available in the entrance hall of the Department of Government (Rathaustrasse 19/9) after the first class. Please regularly check the course page on Moodle for the updated reading list, and for additional reading materials.

Suggested readings:
- Paul M. Kellstedt, and Guy D. Whitten. 2013. The fundamentals of political science research. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
- Alan Agresti and Barbara Finaly. 2009. Statistical methods for the social sciences (fourth edition). New Jersey: Pearson Education International
- Alan C. Acock. 2014. A Gentle Introduction to Stata (4th Edition). College Station, Texas: Stata Press

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Th 20.02.2025 00:15