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Research Design
for Quantitative Analysis Professors Franklin and Bernardi |
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Web page revised 8th December
2010 This class is intended for researchers who have
already taken the two data analysis seminars co-taught by Professor Franklin
and Professor Dronkers, or who have
reached the same level of proficiency in some other fashion. It is thus not
intended for first year researchers unless they arrive with strong quantitative
research skills. Consult Professor Franklin by email if in doubt. Register for the class with Amy.Chamberlain@eui.eu
(ext 2432). Class description Research design is the process of creating a scientific
plan for answering research questions through hypothesis generation, case
selection, measurement, and analysis. Research design is both a formal and a
creative process whose application, properly conducted, yields knowledge
about how the world works. The creative aspect involves the application of
strategic and tactical thinking in what Donald Stokes once memorably called
“a game against nature.” This course focuses on the strategic and tactical
thinking that underlies good research design, particularly in the context of
designs involving quantitative analysis. Relevant examples will be taken
from the political economy, political behaviour, political sociology and
international relations literatures. The seminar is conceived as a 'self-help' exercise, that
I sometimes refer to as analogous to a 'bring and buy' sale. The participants
each bring some research skills which they can share with other participants,
who are therefore 'buying' the research skills brought by others. My own
contribution is mainly in helping to decide which skills will be shared. The
actual content of the syllabus will be decided progressively as the term
proceeds, but mainly at the first meeting. |
THIS IS A DEMANDING COURSE.
PLEASE READ THE SYLLABUS CAREFULLY BEFORE DECIDING TO TAKE IT. (Please also
look out for revisions). The syllabus starts out as the syllabus employed on
the most recent occasion that the course was taught, but is progressively
amended to reflect the decisions made by participants regarding what methods
will be brought to the class and shared.
Class
materials can be found in the class dropbox folder to which you will be
invited after registering
THE FOLLOWING
MATERIALS ARE DUPLICATES OF MATERIALS IN THE DROPBOX FOLDER, for the benefit of
those who would like to do preliminary reading
Preliminary Readings