Introduction to data analysis for absolute beginners September 29^th, 2010, 1400-1900; September 30^th 1000-1300 Seminario 2 Professor Mark Franklin

This class is intended for researchers who wish to take the elementary data analysis seminar but have no background at all in data analysis or statistical packages. This two-day catch-up class will introduce basic statistical concepts and the use of the STATA statistical package, preparing participants for the first meeting of the elementary data analysis seminar. PLEASE NOTE THE PRELIMINARY READING (SEE BELOW).

Register for the class with Amy.Chamberlain@eui.eu (ext 2432).

Please bring your laptop to the class with STATA installed. If you do not have a copy of STATA already on your laptop you can get it (along with a site licence) from the Badia Computing Service Site Office (by email to BF-Site@eui.eu stating also whether this is for Windows or MAC platform). It may take 24 hours or more to get the license key from STATA Inc., so be sure to install your copy well ahead of the class.

Also download the following file which we will work with in the class

EP turnout dataset

Preliminary reading:

Mark Franklin, "Quantitative Analysis" in Donatella della Porta and Michael Keating (eds.), Approaches and Methodologies in the Social Sciences: A Pluralist Perspective. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (the library has multiple copies, some on reserve).

Be sure to read that chapter before you come to the class!

AFTER THE FIRST DAY'S CLASS

DOWNLOAD THE FOLLOWING FILES: Vocabulary of data analysis.pdf

Class visuals.pdf

Review the contents of the file and, using the EP turnout dataset (see above), attempt to replicate the analyses of EP turnout conducted in the “Quantitative Analysis” chapter in the preliminary reading (above).

The second morning at 10am we will spend two hours discussing the results of your efforts.