GV481 Half Unit
Quantitative Analysis for Political Science
This information is for the 2021/22 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Mathilde Emeriau
Availability
This course is compulsory on the MSc in Political Science and Political Economy. This course is available on the MRes/PhD in Political Science. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
MSc Political Science and Political Economy students will be granted priority access as this is a compulsory course for their programme. Other postgraduates wanting to take the course (space permitting) require the permission of the teachers responsible.
Course content
The course provides an introduction to quantitative thinking in the field of political science. Its goal is to give students the tools to ask the right questions, be skeptical when appropriate, and distinguish between useful and misleading evidence. Students will be introduced to the basic toolkit of quantitative analysis, which includes hypothesis testing, regression, experiments, differences in differences, and regression discontinuity. Students will also learn how to use a statistical software program to organize and analyze data.
Teaching
This course is delivered through a combination of seminars and lectures totalling a minimum of 40 hours in the Michaelmas Term, with an additional 2 hours for a revision lecture in the Summer Term. This year, some or all of this teaching will be delivered through a combination of online and on-campus lectures and seminars. There will be a reading week in Michaelmas Term Week 6.
Formative coursework
Two problem sets.
Indicative reading
Imai, K., & Bougher, L. D. (2021). Quantitative Social Science: An Introduction in Stata. Princeton University Press.
Assessment
Online assessment (50%, duration: 7 days) in the ST.
Coursework (50%) in the LT.
The coursework will consist of a data analysis exercise using Stata.
Course selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Student performance results
(2017/18 - 2019/20 combined)
| Classification | % of students |
|---|---|
| Distinction | 22.2 |
| Merit | 47.5 |
| Pass | 24.2 |
| Fail | 6.1 |
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2021/22 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the differing needs of students in attendance on campus and those who might be studying online. For example, this may involve changes to the mode of teaching delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.
Key facts
Department: Government
Total students 2020/21: 37
Average class size 2020/21: 12
Controlled access 2020/21: Yes
Value: Half Unit
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Problem solving
- Communication
