Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL1041: Data Analysis in Social Science

This module descriptor refers to the 2018/9 academic year.

Overview

NQF Level 4
Credits 15 ECTS Value 7.5
Term(s) and duration

This module ran during term 2 (11 weeks)

Academic staff

Dr Travis Coan (Lecturer)

Pre-requisites

POL1008/SOC1004

Co-requisites

None

Available via distance learning

No

The purpose of the module is to introduce you to data analytical tools commonly used in social science research. It is designed for students with no previous experience of quantitative methods or statistics. It will provide you with a basic knowledge of the foundations of descriptive statistics and inference, focusing especially on methods for data presentation, description, and visualization.  You will also become familiar with statistical software packages (Excel and R) commonly used in academic and workplace settings. Laboratory (Lab) sessions will be used to re-enforce the material covered in the lectures and to help apply the core concepts seen in class to relevant practical problems. Throughout the module, you will link the techniques and methods learned in class to substantively relevant political science questions – e.g., are there differences in corruption levels and its determinants across countries?  What are the key determinants of income inequality in the UK?

POL1008/SOC1004 is a pre-requisite and no co-requisites are required.  

Module created

01/02/2013

Last revised

12/07/2016