GV481 Half Unit
Quantitative Analysis for Political Science
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Aliz Toth
Availability
This course is compulsory on the MSc in Political Science (Political Behaviour) and MSc in Political Science (Political Science and Political Economy). This course is available on the MRes in Political Science, MSc in Political Science (Conflict Studies and Comparative Politics) and MSc in Political Science (Global Politics). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
How to apply: Priority will be given to students on the Political Science and Political Economy and Political Behaviour streams of the MSc in Political Science as this is a compulsory course for their programme (no written statement is required). Applicants from other programmes should write a short statement of 200 words (max) outlining the specific reasons for applying and how the course will benefit their academic/career goals. You should check that you meet any pre-requisites in the course guide before applying (where applicable). Places on capped courses cannot be guaranteed.
Deadline for application: The deadline for applications is 12:00 noon on Friday 26 September 2025. You can expect to be informed of the outcome of your application by 12:00 noon on Monday 29 September 2025. Any places remaining after this date will be allocated based on priority and written statement - up until course selection closes.
For queries contact: gov.msc@lse.ac.uk
Students on the Political Science and Political Economy and Political Behaviour streams of the MSc in Political Science 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 sceptical 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, RStudio, to organize and analyze data through weekly problem sets.
Teaching
20 hours of lectures and 18 hours of seminars in the Autumn Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.
Formative assessment
Problem sets
Problem sets
Two problem sets.
Indicative reading
Bueno de Mesquita, E.B. and Fowler, A., 2021. Thinking clearly with data: A guide to quantitative reasoning and analysis. Princeton University Press.
Assessment
Exam (60%), duration: 120 Minutes in the Spring exam period
Data analysis (40%) in Winter Term Week 1
The coursework will consist of a data analysis exercise using R.
Key facts
Department: Government
Course Study Period: Autumn Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Keywords: Quantitative Analysis, Political Science
Total students 2024/25: 108
Average class size 2024/25: 18
Controlled access 2024/25: YesCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Problem solving
- Communication