210260 UE d2: Quantitative Methods of Empirical Social Research (2008S)

The seminar "Quantitative Methods and Implementation Research" provides political science students with the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in quantitative methods. The emphasis of this seminar is on the practical application of the various methodological concepts and quantitative statistical tools presented by Prof. Sylvia Kritzinger in her theoretical course Quantitative Methoden der empirischen Sozialforschung. Participation to her course is therefore a prerequisite to attend this seminar. Thematically, the seminar illustrates how quantitative methodology is applied to the vibrant field of European implementation research. EU implementation research spans over three decades of research with the general aim of better understanding how legislation decided in Brussels is transposed, applied and enforced in the various EU member states. Scholars in the field have recently uncovered a substantial "implementation gap" in Europe and, as a result, have tried to quantify the extent of the problem. This seminar is based upon quantitative works from prominent scholars in the field focusing on these thematic issues, yet linking with the main issues covered in Prof. Kritzinger's course.