03383 - Social Statistics

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the student has knowledge of the main national and international statistical sources, both official and unofficial, and of the methodological and technical aspects of social research. In particular, the student is able to: - use the basic tools of quantitative analysis and verification of results in social research - use with full awareness of statistical sources

Course contents

The evolution of scientific thought in the Social Sciences - Quantitative vs. qualitative methods in social research - Gender data gap - Social indicators and composite indices - Survey methodology - Psychological issues in understanding survey questions and answering - Techniques of questionnaire administration - Sample design - Researching hard-to-reach populations - Causality and experiments - The sources of Social Statistics

Readings/Bibliography

Power point presentations 

Vanda Lucia Zammuner, Tecniche dell'intervista e del questionario. Il Mulino.

Piergiorgio Corbetta, Metodologia e tecniche della ricerca sociale. Il Mulino (Chapters 1–9, optional for students attending the classes)

Teaching methods

Lectures, Readings, Computer Lab

Assessment methods

Students regularly attending the classes are required to deliver one take-home assignment (paper) plus a short test.

Other students are required to take a written examination.

Teaching tools

Computer Lab (Excel, Stata)

Office hours

See the website of Francesca Tosi