91213 - METODOLOGIA DELLA RICERCA SOCIALE E POLITICA LM

Learning outcomes

The course focuses on some central topics in research methodology for social and political sciences. At the end of the course - which does not presuppose any previous competence - the student has a basic knowledge of some central themes of the epistemology of empirical research; she/he is aware of the main techniques of data collection; she/he is able to apply elements of logic in the organization of research designs and in the interpretation of the results of a survey; he/she is aware of the characteristics and problems inherent in the operationalization of the properties under investigation; and he/she is able to use techniques of univariate statistical analysis.

Course contents

The course aims at providing students with the methodological tools for an informed use of statistical data analysis in social and political research. After a short introduction aimed at framing the paradigms, key concepts and principles that guide scientific research in the social and political field, the course focuses on the statistical analysis of survey data.

The first part of the course will illustrate the two fundamental paradigms of social research: quantitative and qualitative.

In the second part, after expolaining the structure of quantitative research, the course will focus on quantitative survey techniques.

In the third part, starting from the distinction between univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis, the main tools of statistical data analysis will be introduced, focusing in particular on the logic of univariate and bivariate analysis.

The last part of the course aims to provide an introduction to Stata®, one of the most popular statistical software to perform data analysis and management.

The course will not adopt a formal approach, but will give priority to empirical aspects, making extensive use of examples.

Further details on the organization of the course will be provided during the first classes.

Readings/Bibliography

Foreign students are invited to contact the lecturer at the beginning of the course to discuss the programme.

Teaching methods

The course is structured in 20 lessons of two hours, each one focused on a specific topic.

The course includes additional activities using Stata® software for data analysis.

Attendance is not compulsory, but recommended. Those who have attended at least 80% of the lectures will be considered as attending students.

Assessment methods

For all students, the assessment is based on a written test. The test includes 10 multiple choice questions requiring only one answer (1 point each); 3 multiple choice questions requiring more than one answer (max. 2 points each); two exercises (max. 3 points each); two open questions (max. 4 points each). Non-attending students must also answer an additional open question on the additional text. The question is graded in thirtieths and averaged with the mark obtained in the first part of the exam. In calculating the final grade, the first part is worth 80%, the second 20%.

Attending students will also have the opportunity, on a voluntary basis, to produce a short statistical report starting from some datasets provided by the instructor. The evaluation of the report (max. 3 points) will be added to the score of the written test. Further details will be provided at the beginning of the course.

Teaching tools

The slides and other teaching materials will be available on Virtuale.

Office hours

See the website of Luca Pinto