400008 SE Regression models in the social sciences (2016S)

This course provides a practical and applied introduction to ordinary least squares (OLS) regression models, one of the most widely-used statistical methods in the social sciences. By the end of this course, you will be able to construct and interpret OLS regression models. You will have a firm understanding of the assumptions of the model, the differences between various types of independent variables and how to identify and address possible dangers and problems. You will also be able to evaluate critically OLS models used in scholarly journals. We will begin by reviewing basic statistical concepts, such as comparing means and testing hypotheses, before moving on to the analysis of the association of two continuous variables. We then discuss simple linear regression and the assumptions underlying OLS regression. The final sessions cover the core of this method. First, we examine in detail multiple regression models, concentrating on the practical interpretation of results. Then, different types of explanatory variables are introduced, with a focus on binary/nominal variables and interaction effects. Finally, an overview of possible problems and their remedies is provided, and we will consider how to approach model-building in OLS regression.

At the end of this course you will:
- have a solid grounding in theoretical aspects of regression models,
- be able to critically evaluate regression models used in the literature,
- be able to construct and refine a regression-based study design for their own research questions, and
- be able to learn about other regression models through self-study.