PIM86-Introduction to Quantitative research methods in Politics and International Relations

Module Provider: Graduate Institute for Politics and International Studies
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Students are exempt and should not take PIM86 if they enrol in an econometrics course provided by the Department of Economics. Proof of enrolment in that course will need to be given to the convenors of PIM86.
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Jonathan Golub
Email: j.s.golub@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the basics of research design and a number of the principal quantitative methods used in political science and international relations. The course discusses the best practice for the collection and analysis of information about human behaviour and institutions. To help students understand and apply research methods, the discussion and many of the examples used in the module will be taken from existing quantitative research in international relations, comparative politics and public policy. Students are then required to test hypotheses using the methods they have learned in the course. 

Aims:
The module aims to familiarise students with the process of data collection, to introduce students to a range of quantitative research techniques and how these methods should be assessed, and to allow students to test hypotheses using these methods.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the course students should be able to:

• Identify relevant sources of data and discuss the process of collecting data


• Understand the principal types of statistical analysis


• Understand and critically assess quantitative results in existing political science and international relations research


• Use basic statistical techniques used in political science and international relations to test hypotheses from their research

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

The module covers the basics of research design, and a range of basic techniques useful in the analysis of political data, including: presenting and summarizing data; descriptive statistics; normal distribution; bivariate analysis; content analysis, regression analysis; and, logistic regression analysis. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Lectures and seminars cover the main module material, supported by lab sessions. Students will complete readings before each lecture to be discussed in class and also undertake formative exercises. They will have labs where they learn to apply the methods reviewed in the lectures to their own field and to their own research, where possible. Students will learn to use Stata software to conduct basic data analysis.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	9	5
Seminars	5	2
Practicals classes and workshops	12	6
Guided independent study:	74	87
Total hours by term	100	100	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	50
Class test administered by School	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:

There is no summer term examination for this module.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

The module is assessed through a combination of a 3 hours class test and a 3,000 word (not counting tables and appendices) mini-research project that uses some of the methods covered in the course to test hypotheses.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 'Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes', which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
50% overall module mark

Reassessment arrangements:
Reassessment is via the original assessment methods. Re-sit examinations take place in August.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Required text books:

The course will use the following as the primary textbook:  J.B. Johnson and H.T. Reynolds 2005. Political Science Research Methods, 5th edition (CQ Press).  ISBN:1568028741

Last updated: 30 March 2023