210059 UE BA 4.2 Quantitative Methods and Electoral Research (2009S)
Continuous assessment of course work
Labels
Ort: AAKH Hof 7, EDV Schulungsraum 1
Uhrzeit: 10.00 - 12.00MONTAGS-Termine
09.03.2009
16.03.2009
23.03.2009
20.04.2009
27.04.2009
04.05.2009
11.05.2009
18.05.2009
25.05.2009
08.06.2009
15.06.2009
22.06.2009
29.06.2009
Uhrzeit: 10.00 - 12.00MONTAGS-Termine
09.03.2009
16.03.2009
23.03.2009
20.04.2009
27.04.2009
04.05.2009
11.05.2009
18.05.2009
25.05.2009
08.06.2009
15.06.2009
22.06.2009
29.06.2009
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).
- Registration is open from Tu 24.02.2009 08:00 to Tu 03.03.2009 16:00
- Registration is open from We 04.03.2009 16:00 to Th 05.03.2009 16:00
- Deregistration possible until Fr 20.03.2009 08:00
Details
max. 45 participants
Language: English
Lecturers
Classes
Currently no class schedule is known.
Information
Aims, contents and method of the course
This course is an introduction to statistics and data analysis as a means of conducting electoral research. To learn how to use these methods for original political inquiry, we will discuss theory, research questions and hypotheses driving electoral research. Data observed at the level of the person or groups of persons (such as countries) enable political scientists to test theory-driven hypotheses about the electorate across countries and over time. Surveys and statistical analyses are therefore particularly useful tools for investigating continuity/change in the orientations and behaviour of the electorate. We will introduce students to the European Election Study dataset as well to works, which analyze these data with quantitative methods. Through "learning by doing" students will 'get hands on' existing empirical data from this cross-national survey and will interpret the results of their analyses. Aiming at providing the foundations in quantitative methods, we will cover descriptive statistics, basic probability theory, inferences concerning means, correlation, as well as an introduction to regression analysis. By the end of the course, students will have a better acquaintance with the types of empirical work done by political scientists using statistical tools. In particular, participants of this course will become more informed readers regarding the methods and data used in European electoral research.
Assessment and permitted materials
Minimum requirements and assessment criteria
Course Requirements
" No background in Statistics is required. However, it should be noted that our lectures follow the curriculum of the general course in Quantitative Methods offered by Professor Dr. Kritzinger. Consequently, students are assumed to regularly attend that course as well.
" Students are expected to be able to read, speak and write in English, as lectures, reading materials and assignments will be in English.Course Policies
" Attendance is obligatory.
" Course grades will be based on:
¢ fulfillment of assignments (problem sets). Students are expected to hand-in their Homework punctually and/or
¢ a short paper (approx. 10000 words) in English. The paper should have a firm basis in the suggested literature. Students are expected to formulate and test a hypothesis using the methods learnt in this class and the available datasets (EES).
" No background in Statistics is required. However, it should be noted that our lectures follow the curriculum of the general course in Quantitative Methods offered by Professor Dr. Kritzinger. Consequently, students are assumed to regularly attend that course as well.
" Students are expected to be able to read, speak and write in English, as lectures, reading materials and assignments will be in English.Course Policies
" Attendance is obligatory.
" Course grades will be based on:
¢ fulfillment of assignments (problem sets). Students are expected to hand-in their Homework punctually and/or
¢ a short paper (approx. 10000 words) in English. The paper should have a firm basis in the suggested literature. Students are expected to formulate and test a hypothesis using the methods learnt in this class and the available datasets (EES).
Examination topics
Reading list
Readings:
All required readings will be made available on Fronter. The reading list includes the latest relevant books as well as political science articles, which make use of the EES data.Required Readings:
Marsch, Michael (2000). 'Surge and decline' in European parliament elections: A new challenge for a classic theory of electoral change Paper Presented at APSA Meeting, Washington DC.
This paper provides a good theoretical overview of electoral change theories and uses EES data. It is available online at:
http://www.tcd.ie/Political_Science/Staff/Michael.Marsh/S&Da_apsa2000.pdf Further Readings: A collection of publications using quantitative methods to analyze European Election Studies' data is available online at: http://www.europeanelectionstudies.net . Students should consult this list when writing their seminar papers (not least to get an idea of the research questions related to the EES)." Software: SPSS. The program is installed at the University's computers, so students can do the exercises at the Computer Labs. So, students do not need to purchase this program.
" Data: European Elections Studies (EES). This study offers wide opportunities for comparative and longitudinal analyses of voter behaviour and voter orientations. As such, it will be used for the exercises in class, the homework and the final paper. Available online at: http://www.europeanelectionstudies.net
In the context of electoral research, students may also be interested in how different parties scored in elections over time. Some useful data are available online at: http://www.parties-and-elections.de/index.html. A useful collection of links for the study of politics is also available: http://www.parties-and-elections.de/links.html on a wide range of countries and electoral topics.
All required readings will be made available on Fronter. The reading list includes the latest relevant books as well as political science articles, which make use of the EES data.Required Readings:
Marsch, Michael (2000). 'Surge and decline' in European parliament elections: A new challenge for a classic theory of electoral change Paper Presented at APSA Meeting, Washington DC.
This paper provides a good theoretical overview of electoral change theories and uses EES data. It is available online at:
http://www.tcd.ie/Political_Science/Staff/Michael.Marsh/S&Da_apsa2000.pdf Further Readings: A collection of publications using quantitative methods to analyze European Election Studies' data is available online at: http://www.europeanelectionstudies.net . Students should consult this list when writing their seminar papers (not least to get an idea of the research questions related to the EES)." Software: SPSS. The program is installed at the University's computers, so students can do the exercises at the Computer Labs. So, students do not need to purchase this program.
" Data: European Elections Studies (EES). This study offers wide opportunities for comparative and longitudinal analyses of voter behaviour and voter orientations. As such, it will be used for the exercises in class, the homework and the final paper. Available online at: http://www.europeanelectionstudies.net
In the context of electoral research, students may also be interested in how different parties scored in elections over time. Some useful data are available online at: http://www.parties-and-elections.de/index.html. A useful collection of links for the study of politics is also available: http://www.parties-and-elections.de/links.html on a wide range of countries and electoral topics.
Association in the course directory
Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:38