Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2018 - POL 201 D100

Introductory Quantitative Methods in Political Science (3)

Class Number: 5286

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Tue, Thu, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 13, 2018
    Fri, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    POL 200 or permission of department.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduces quantitative research techniques in political science. Introduces important analytical and conceptual skills necessary to understand and evaluate quantitative political science research. Students with credit for IS 240 may not take POL 201 for further credit. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course provides students with the skills required to understand and use qualitative techniques and methods in the analysis of substantive political issues. The course begins with an introduction to analytical thinking and the components of social scienti c analysis, which encompassess the topics of research design and empirical methods. Many di erent quantitative approaches to the study of political phenomena are taught, beginning with measurement, data collection, andsurvey design, moving through descriptive statistics, and ending with inferential statistics.

This is an applied course, in that it not only makes use of real-life political science data and research examples, but it also emphasizes practice through the use of quantitative software to examine, analyze, and interpret data. The lab sessions are used to develop the students' mastery of the R statistical computing package. R is open-source software that can be used on any operating system{Mac, Windows, or Linux{and is ideally-suited for the study of political science data.

Following the successful completion of this course, students should be able to read, understand, critically assess, and produce social science research that uses quantitative data and analysis. They will develop the ability to generate measures for concepts and variables, collect evidence, create testable hypotheses, and use statistical analysis to evaluate data.

There will be two 50-minute lectures and one 50-minute lab session weekly. (Labs will begin in Week 1 of the semester.)

Grading

  • Homework Assignments 25%
  • Midterm Exam 25%
  • Final Exam 30%
  • Lab Assignments & Participation 10%
  • Final Project (max. 5 page paper) 10%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Paul M. Kellstedt and Guy D. Whitten. 2013 The Fundamentals of
Political Science Research (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press).
ISBN: 9781107621664

Wheelan, Charles. 2014. Naked Statistics: Stripping the Dread from the
Data (Norton & Company, Inc.)
ISBN: 9780393347777

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The Department of Political Science strictly enforces a policy on plagiarism.
For details, see http://www.sfu.ca/politics/undergraduate/program/related_links.html and click on “Plagiarism and Intellectual Dishonesty” .

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS