Admission requirements
Only students of the Advanced MSc International Relations and Diplomacy can take this course.
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 regression. The course finishes with the cutting-edge methods related to experiments in social science.
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 analyse 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 studyguide 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
Attendance Policy
Attendance is mandatory, subject to course structure (see syllabus for details).
Assessment method
Final grades are calculated based on three components:
Theory test (20%),
Written assignment I (30%),
Written assignment II (50%),
Details for submitting papers (deadlines) are posted on Brightspace.
You can find more information about assessments and the timetable exams on the website.
Failed partial grades or components should be compensated by passed partial grades or components. The calculated grade must be at least 5.50 to pass the course. It is not possible to re-sit a partial grade or component once you have passed the course.
- Passed partial grades obtained in the academic year 2023-2024 remain valid during the academic year 2024-2025.
Transitional arrangement approved by Board of Examiners
All students who have valid partial grades from the 2023/2024 edition of this course will fall under the assessment requirements as specified in the studyguide from 2023/2024.
Passed partial grades obtained in the academic year 2024-2025 remain valid during the academic year 2025-2026.
Should a student fail the overall course, the student can complete the course in the second year of the programme.
Reading list
The reading list will be communicated at the outset of the course and will include open access books and journal articles available via Leiden University catalogue.
Registration
The programme will register the students in Usis based on the group division. Use Brightspace for course information.
Contact
Dr. J.J. Kantorowicz j.j.kantorowicz@fgga.leidenuniv.nl
A. Pourebrahimi Andouhjerdi a.pourebrahimi.andouhjerdi@fgga.leidenuniv.nl
Remarks
This course is scheduled in the first year, block 3, of the MIRD programme.
It is also offered in block 1 of the second year, targeting students who could not complete the course in the first year due to timeline conflicts with their internship.