Quantitative Research and Methods in Political Science

Doel vak

Learning outcomes

A. Knowledge and understanding - The student has acquired knowledge and
understanding of:
(1) central debates within comparative politics (focusing on political
representation, electoral behavior, political campaigns, political
participation, political leadership and political communication);
(2) the features and trade-offs of applications of different
quantitative research methods, such as survey research and experimental
research.
(3) how to apply their methodological knowledge about comparative
political research methods to develop a methodological sound and
feasible research design, based on methodological choices on key
methodological issues such as internal and external. validity,
reliability, operationalization and case-selection.

B. Skills - The student has acquired the skills to:
(4) apply quantitative research methods to relevant research questions
in the field of political science, in analyzing quantitative data and in
reporting research results.

C. Attitude - The student displays:
(5) the ability to think critically about key methodological issues such
as conceptualization, operationalization, case-selection, reliability,
validity and causality.

Inhoud vak

In this course, students will learn about some of the core debates
within comparative politics (focusing on political behavior) and about
different approaches to doing comparative political research. The course
will help students to gain the basic knowledge and skills necessary for
performing comparative research and setting up a research design.

Aanvullende informatie onderwijsvormen

Lectures and seminars.
Attendance in the seminars is mandatory.

Toetsvorm

Quizzes, a presentation and written assignment(s)
Seminar participation

Literatuur

To be announced in the course manual (see CANVAS)

Aanbevolen voorkennis

Having succesfully passed the course Descriptive and Inferential
Statistics