GV481 Half Unit
Quantitative Analysis for Political Science
This information is for the 2020/21 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Mathilde Emeriau
Availability
This course is compulsory on the MSc in Political Science and Political Economy. 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.
The deadline for applications is 17:00 on Tuesday 29 September 2020. You will be informed of the outcome by 17:00 on Wednesday 30 September 2020.
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 30 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
Three problem sets.
Indicative reading
Angrist, J. D., & Pischke, J. S. (2008). Mostly harmless econometrics: An empiricist's companion. Princeton University Press.
Assessment
Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours) in the summer exam period.
Student performance results
(2016/17 - 2018/19 combined)
| Classification | % of students |
|---|---|
| Distinction | 26.1 |
| Merit | 32.4 |
| Pass | 31.5 |
| Fail | 9.9 |
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2020/21 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 situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of 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 2019/20: 29
Average class size 2019/20: 10
Controlled access 2019/20: Yes
Value: Half Unit
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Problem solving
- Communication
