HU Credits:
2
Degree/Cycle:
2nd degree (Master)
Responsible Department:
Public Policy and Government
Semester:
1st Semester
Teaching Languages:
Hebrew
Campus:
Mt. Scopus
Course/Module Coordinator:
Dr. Liat Raz-Yurovich
Coordinator Office Hours:
Wednesday, 13:30-14:30, room 1745, School of Public Policy, Humanities (By e-mail coordination)
Teaching Staff:
Dr. Liat Raz
Course/Module description:
An introductory course in quantitative methods for MA students, which combines both theoretical lectures and applied exercises at the computer lab, using SPSS
Course/Module aims:
The course is designed to provide advanced knowledge of quantitative research methods in the social sciences.
Learning outcomes - On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Describe and understand research designs and statistical procedures in the social sciences.
2. Select research designs relevant to different types of research questions and data.
3. Acknowledge limitations of the various designs for various research questions.
Attendance requirements(%):
80%
Teaching arrangement and method of instruction:
Theoretical and applied lectures at the computer lab
Course/Module Content:
Topic 1: Scientific Research - Principles and Goals
Topic 2: Principles of statistical analysis
Topic 3: Sampling and measurement
Topic 4: The database – Preparation and pre-examination
Topic 5: How to write a research report
Topic 6: Comparing groups with continuous dependent variable
Topic 7: Comparing groups with categorical dependent variable
Topic 8: Correlation between two continuous variables
Topic 9: Correlation between multiple variables - linear regression
Topic 10: Correlations between multiple variables - logistic regression
Topic 11: Experimental designs, longitudinal Analysis and multi-level analysis
Required Reading:
Relevant books:
Altman, Douglas G. 1991. Practical Statistics for Medical Research, Chapman & Hall
Angrist, Joshua D. and Jörn-Steffen Pischke. 2009. Mostly Harmless Econometrics,
Princeton: Princeton University Press
Hancké, Bob. 2009. Intelligent Research Design: A guide for beginning researchers in the social sciences, Oxford: Oxford University Press
King, Gary, Robert Keohane and Sidney Verba. 1994. Designing Social Inquiry, Princeton: Princeton University Press
List of topics and readings:
Topic 1: Scientific Research - Principles and Goals
Hancké (2009), Chapter 1: pp. 14-34.
Popper, K. (1978). Conjectures and refutations. London: Routledge. pp.33-39.
Topic 2: Principles of statistical analysis
Altman (1991), chapter 8: pp. 152-171.
Altman (1991), chapter 4: pp. 48-71.
Topic 3: Sampling and measurement
Topic 4: The database – Preparation and pre-examination
Altman (1991), chapter 7: pp. 122-149.
Topic 5: How to write a research report
Hancké (2009), Chapter 5: pp. 108-127.
Topic 6: Comparing groups with continuous dependent variable
Altman (1991), chapter 9: pp. 179-198, 205-213, 217-223.
Sulitzeanu-Kenan, R. 2006. If They Get it Right: An Experimental Test of the Effects of UK Public Inquiries’ Appointment and Reports, Public Administration 84(3): 623-653.
Topic 7: Comparing groups with categorical dependent variable
Altman (1991), chapter 10: pp. 229-272.
Gerber, Alan S. and Donald Green. 1999. Does canvassing increase voter turnout? A field experiment, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. USA 96: 10939–10942.
Topic 8: Correlation between two continuous variables
Altman (1991), chapter 11 pp. 277-320.
Eisenberg, Theodore and Geoffrey P. Miller. 2010. Attorney Fees and Expenses in Class Action Settlements: 1993-2008, Journal of Empirical Legal Studies 7(2): 248-281 [248-255]
Topic 9: Correlation between multiple variables - linear regression
Altman (1991), chapter 12 pp. 325-351.
Angrist & Pischke (2009): pp. 28-50
Norris, Catherine J., Amanda G. Dumville, and Dean P. Lacy. 2011. Affective Forecasting Errors in the 2008 Election: Underpredicting Happiness, Political Psychology 32(2): 235-249.
Topic 10: Correlations between multiple variables - logistic regression
Altman (1991), chapter 12 pp. 351-360.
Sulitzeanu-Kenan, Raanan. 2010. Reflection in the Shadow of Blame: When do Politicians Appoint Commissions of Inquiry? British Journal of Political Science 40(3): 613-634.
Gill, Jeff. 2008. Essential Mathematics for Social and Political Scientists, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press: pp. 34-39.
Topic 11: Experimental designs, longitudinal Analysis and multi-level analysis
Sulitzeanu-Kenan, Raanan and Eran Halperin. 2012. Making a Difference: Political Efficacy and Policy Preference Construction, British Journal of Political Science, 43(1): 295-322 [295-307 and 'General discussion'].
Jones, Benjamin F. and Benjamin A. Olken. 2009. Hit or Miss? The Effect of Assassinations on Institutions and War, American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics 1(2): 55-87.
Raz-Yurovich, L. 2011. Divorce penalty or divorce premium? A longitudinal
analysis of the consequences of divorce for men’s and women’s economic activity.
European Sociological Review, 29(2), 373-385.
Additional Reading Material:
None
Course/Module evaluation:
End of year written/oral examination 0 %
Presentation 0 %
Participation in Tutorials 10 %
Project work 50 %
Assignments 40 %
Reports 0 %
Research project 0 %
Quizzes 0 %
Other 0 %
Additional information:
1) The course's contents might change, according to our progress.
2) Few topics might require more than one lecture.
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