402010 PS Applied Methods of Social Sciences

winter semester 2021/2022 | Last update: 11.08.2021 Place course on memo list
402010
PS Applied Methods of Social Sciences
PS 2
5
weekly
each semester
German

In this proseminar, students learn to methodically examine causal relationships by means of empirical data. After successful completion of the course, students know different techniques of data collection and are familiar with (qualitative and quantitative) methods of data analysis. Students will be able to independently implement research projects (from the formulation of a research question to the research design to the data collection and analysis) and will acquire both the theoretical knowledge and experience in using the statistical software "R" and "R Studio". Students will also be able to interpret and critically evaluate empirical research results.

This course is aimed at Bachelor students at the beginning of their methodological training and should be seen in parallel to the VO within the same module. The Proseminar applies the acquired knowledge and familiarizes students with qualitative (small-n) and quantitative (large-n) approaches to data analysis and interpretation in research practice. Students who successfully complete the course will have the basic knowledge necessary to conduct independent research using qualitative or quantitative methods. They will also able to analyze and critically reflect on research results in scientific publications.

In a first step, this Proseminar teaches the basics of qualitative and quantitative research designs before we then address real life research examples. By means of these practical examples, basic concepts will be illustrated, and students will also be enabled to critically reflect on texts and research findings. The focus, however, lies on developing an own, small research paper drawing on the concepts discussed in the class. Students present and discuss within their “research teams” their research ideas, on which they subsequently write their final theses.

The final grade is composed of several components, each of which must be completed positively, and students may choose between two tracks.

Attendance and active participation in the course sessions (10%), drafting and presenting a research concept for an empirical research paper (20%), data collection and analysis in the context of a small research paper (50%), final test on the course content (20%).

Readings (additional literature in Proseminar sessions)

Box-Steffensmeier, J., Brady, H., & Collier, D. (2008). The Oxford handbook of political methodology, 10. Auflage, Oxford University Press.

Tausendpfund, M. (2018). Quantitative Methoden in der Politikwissenschaft.

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see dates
Group 0
Date Time Location
Wed 2021-10-13
10.00 - 11.45 eLecture - online eLecture - online
Wed 2021-10-20
10.00 - 11.45 eLecture - online eLecture - online
Wed 2021-10-27
10.00 - 11.45 eLecture - online eLecture - online
Wed 2021-11-03
10.00 - 11.45 eLecture - online eLecture - online
Wed 2021-11-10
10.00 - 11.45 eLecture - online eLecture - online
Wed 2021-11-17
10.00 - 11.45 eLecture - online eLecture - online
Wed 2021-11-24
10.00 - 11.45 eLecture - online eLecture - online
Wed 2021-12-01
10.00 - 11.45 eLecture - online eLecture - online
Wed 2021-12-15
10.00 - 11.45 eLecture - online eLecture - online
Wed 2022-01-12
10.00 - 11.45 eLecture - online eLecture - online
Wed 2022-01-19
10.00 - 11.45 eLecture - online eLecture - online
Wed 2022-01-26
10.00 - 11.45 eLecture - online eLecture - online
Wed 2022-02-02
10.00 - 11.45 eLecture - online eLecture - online