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Methods in Political Science (Spring) - Quantitative Track

Vak
2025-2026

STUDENTS CHOOSE ONE OF THE TWO OFFERED TRACKS: QUALITATIVE OR QUANTITATIVE

Information Session and Registration

In March there will be an online informative session for this course where teachers will be available for answering your questions. Students will receive the invitation by email. Registration via MyStudymap.

Working groups and locations:

LEIDEN
QUALITATIVE #101 Wednesdays 11.15-13.00 (A. Arian)
QUANTITATIVE #101 Wednesdays 13.15-15.00 (S. Pantoja)
THE HAGUE
QUALITATIVE #102 Wednesdays 15.15-17.00 (Kwak)

Description

This course aims to sharpen students’ knowledge of research designs and methods in order for them to successfully complete their Master thesis projects. The course also has a strong practical focus and guides students in applying specific methods to address their research questions by means of concrete exercises.
The course starts with a refresher on the use of linear regression analysis. After this, we continue with logistic regression analysis, techniques for working with complex survey and country-level data, and basic multilevel and panel regression analysis. Students who want to participate in this workgroup should have some prior experience with statistics (with an understanding of linear regression as the baseline requirement). The statistical software package R will be used. Prior knowledge of R is not required.

Mode of instruction

The course consists of a weekly lecture and hands-on practice using the software package R. For students who are new to R and/or do not have a strong foundation in quantitative methods, attending office hours, either on-site or online (upon request), is highly recommended.

Assessment method

To ensure that all students understand the content of each session and are able to apply it in practical exercises using R, the course will include in-class short assignments, two homework assignments, and a final exam. The final grade is determined by weighting the assignments as followed:
In-class short assignments (5% each): 25%
Homework assignment 2 (20% each): 40%
Final exam: 35%

Reading list

Slides, teaching material, and exercises will be made available through Brightspace.

Timetable

See 'MyTimetable'

Remarks

SPOC Research Design in Political Science

Students are highly encouraged to follow the online SPOC course before starting Methods in Political Science. This online course can be accessed at any moment during semester 2. There are no EC’s attached to this course.

Entry requirement: Master student in one of the Political Science’s specialisations (both Leiden or Den Haag).

For more information regarding this course click here.