Admission requirements
MSc International Relations and Diplomacy students.
Description
This course explores various statistical methods as applied to international relations and comparative politics. It starts with simple, but essential, descriptive statistics. It further introduces learners to the topics of inferential statistics and, notably, linear and logistic regressions. After dealing with cross-sectional data, the course extends the models to include a time dimension through panel data models. The course finishes with the cutting-edge methods related to (natural) experiments.
Course objectives
By the end of this course, the learners will be able to:
identify data relevant for various research questions related to international relations or comparative politics;
describe and analyze the data with modern quantitative research methods techniques;
interpret the results of quantitative analysis;
evaluate and critique a research design; and
distinguish between the concept of causality and correlation.
Timetable
On the right-hand side of the programme front page of the E-Prospectus you will find a link to the online timetables.
Mode of instruction
This course is a mix of lectures and tutorials. Tutorials serve to put theory into practice and get a good command of statistical software.
Study load: 140 hours
Assessment method
Final grades are calculated based on four components:
On-line test (20%),
In-class challenge (10%),
Written assignment I (30%),
Written assignment II (40%),
Details for submitting papers (deadlines) are posted on Brightspace.
You can find more information about assessments and the timetable exams on the website.
Details for submitting papers (deadlines) are posted on Brightspace.
Failed partial grades or components should be compensated by passed partial grades or components. The calculated grade must be at least 5,5 to pass the course. It is not possible to re-sit a partial grade or component once you have passed the course.
Transitional arrangement for students enrolled in the course in the academic year 2018-19:
The assessment method of this course has changed. Second year students who have valid partial grades for this course, but have not obtained a passing grade for this course, must complete the course in accordance with last year’s assessment methods.
Reading list
*Diez, David, Christopher Barr and Mine Cetinkaya-Rundel (2015). OpenIntro Statistics. Third Edition. Available under a Creative Commons license. Visit the website of OpenIntro for a free PDF, to download the textbook's source files, or for more information about the license.
*Khandker, Shahidur R., Gayatri B. Koolwal and Hussain A. Samad (2010). Handbook on Impact Evaluation: Quantitative Methods and Practices. World Bank. Visit the webiste of the World Bank Group to download a free copy. License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.
*Academic articles announced before the lectures.
Registration
Use Brightspace to register for every course. The programme will register the students in Usis based on the group division.
Contact
Dr. J.J. Kantorowicz j.j.kantorowicz@fgga.leidenuniv.nl