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Syllabus QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS - 59770
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Last update 26-10-2014
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 Email: liat.raz@mail.huji.ac.il

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.
 
Students needing academic accommodations based on a disability should contact the Center for Diagnosis and Support of Students with Learning Disabilities, or the Office for Students with Disabilities, as early as possible, to discuss and coordinate accommodations, based on relevant documentation.
For further information, please visit the site of the Dean of Students Office.
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