| What | Quantitative Research Methods (i271b) |
| When | Fall 2011, Tues and Thurs, 3:30-5:00 |
| Where | Room 202 South Hall |
| Instructor | Prof. Coye Cheshire (coye@ischool) |
| Office hours | Tues and Thurs 5-6pm, 305A South Hall |
The goal of this course is to provide students with an introduction to many different types of quantitative research methods and statistical techniques. This course will be divided into two sections: 1) methods for quantitative research and, 2) quantitative statistical techniques for analyzing data. We begin with a focus on defining research problems, theory testing, causal inference, and designing research instruments. Then, we will explore a range of statistical techniques and methods that are available for empirical research. Topics in research methods include: Primary and Secondary Data Analysis, Sampling, Survey Design, and Experimental Designs. Topics in quantitative techniques include: Descriptive and Inferential statistics, General Linear Models. The course will conclude with an introduction to special topics in quantitative research methods.
There are four short "lab assignments" in this course. Some of these will be completed individually; others will be completed in small groups. The assignments will be distributed during the lab sections (combined total of 40% of final grade). The final take-home exam will cover all of the major topics in the course (research methods, data management and analysis techniques, statistical analysis and interpretation). You will be able to use your own dataset on the final exam if you choose; otherwise I will make a dataset available for you. The final exam will account for 50% of the final grade. Finally, a portion of your grade (10%) will come from regular attendance, class participation, and instructor discretion. That is:
This course will use a combination of two textbooks, online readings and occasional handouts. You can rent the textbooks or buy them used through Amazon.com to save money. Students are expected to do the readings before each class. This is important in every class, but in a methodology course it is absolutely essential. There are parts of the lectures that will not make sense if you do not do the readings in advance.
The textbooks are:
An important part of working with quantitative research methods involves the use of statistical software. Students in this course should purchase a student license for the "intercooled" (IC) version of STATA 12. It costs $65 for a 6-month license, $98 for a one-year student license or $179 for a perpetual license. If you have access to an earlier version of STATA (Version 9 or higher) you may use this.
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