210205 UE d2: Quantitative Methods and Electoral Research (2008W)
Continuous assessment of course work
Labels
06.10.2008 10.00-11.30 EDVS-2 /AAKH Hof 7
13.10.2008 10.00-11.30 GEOZ / UZAII - Spittelau (U4, U6, Tram D) Althanstraße 14 Ebene 5, Spange C, Raum 2C502
20.10.2008 10.00-11.30 GEOZ
27.10.2008 10.00-11.30 EDVS-2
03.11.2008 10.00-11.30 GEOZ
10.11.2008 10.00-11.30 EDVS-2
17.11.2008 10.00-11.30 GEOZ
24.11.2008 10.00-11.30 GEOZ
01.12.2008 10.00-11.30 GEOZ
15.12.2008 10.00-11.30 GEOZ
12.01.2009 10.00-11.30 GEOZ
19.01.2009 10.00-11.30 GEOZ
26.01.2009 10.00-11.30 GEOZ
13.10.2008 10.00-11.30 GEOZ / UZAII - Spittelau (U4, U6, Tram D) Althanstraße 14 Ebene 5, Spange C, Raum 2C502
20.10.2008 10.00-11.30 GEOZ
27.10.2008 10.00-11.30 EDVS-2
03.11.2008 10.00-11.30 GEOZ
10.11.2008 10.00-11.30 EDVS-2
17.11.2008 10.00-11.30 GEOZ
24.11.2008 10.00-11.30 GEOZ
01.12.2008 10.00-11.30 GEOZ
15.12.2008 10.00-11.30 GEOZ
12.01.2009 10.00-11.30 GEOZ
19.01.2009 10.00-11.30 GEOZ
26.01.2009 10.00-11.30 GEOZ
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 Sa 27.09.2008 08:00 to We 01.10.2008 22:00
- Registration is open from Th 02.10.2008 22:00 to Fr 03.10.2008 22:00
- Deregistration possible until Fr 03.10.2008 22:00
Details
max. 35 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.
Assessment and permitted materials
Attendance is obligatory. Course grades will be based on:
a) fulfillment of assignments (problem sets). Students are expected to hand-in their Homework punctually and/or [depending on a)]
b) 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).
a) fulfillment of assignments (problem sets). Students are expected to hand-in their Homework punctually and/or [depending on a)]
b) 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).
Minimum requirements and assessment criteria
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.
Examination topics
¿ 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.
¿ Students are expected to be able to read, speak and write in English, as lectures, reading materials and assignments will be in English.
Reading list
Required:
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.pdfSchmitt, Hermann, (ed.) (forthcoming). Voters, Parties and European Unification. Essays in Honour of Karlheinz Reif. London: Ashgate.
Wouter van der Brug and Cees van der Eijk (eds.) Domestic Politics. Lessons from the Past and Scenarios for the future [in press].Please note that all required readings will be made available on the Blackboard Vista e-learning platform. The reading list includes the latest relevant books as well as political science articles, which make use of the EES data.Further Reading: 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
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.pdfSchmitt, Hermann, (ed.) (forthcoming). Voters, Parties and European Unification. Essays in Honour of Karlheinz Reif. London: Ashgate.
Wouter van der Brug and Cees van der Eijk (eds.) Domestic Politics. Lessons from the Past and Scenarios for the future [in press].Please note that all required readings will be made available on the Blackboard Vista e-learning platform. The reading list includes the latest relevant books as well as political science articles, which make use of the EES data.Further Reading: 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
Association in the course directory
Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:38