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Program Type: 
Thesis
Course Code: 
POLS 624
Course Type: 
Elective
P: 
3
Lab: 
0
Credits: 
3
ECTS: 
15
Course Language: 
English
Course Objectives: 

This course aims to analyze the details of quantitative methods used in political science and international relations discipline.

Course Content: 

The lectures, homework, and exams are designed to instruct the students in the understanding and proper use of social science methods and promote your critical analysis of statistical findings. Students will learn to describe data, understand the impact of randomness in statistical research, conduct statistical tests, and most importantly learn to evaluate the implications of quantitative results. To that end, we will learn how to use the STATA software (and a little bit of R, as well) and become familiar with datasets widely used in major fields of the discipline. Ultimately, at the end of this class every student will be able to initiate a quantitative research project in the field of social sciences and become conversant in quantitative research methods.

Teaching Methods: 
1: Lecture, 2: Discussion based lecture, 3: Case study, 4:Small group work, 5: Seminar, 6: Group work, 7: Research paper, 8: Oral presentation/exam, 9: Survey, 10: Panel, 11: Guest speaker, 12: Activities within a Student Body or Research Project.
Assessment Methods: 
A: Exam, B: Homework, C: Presentation, D: Discussion

Vertical Tabs

Course Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes Program 

Learning Outcomes

Teaching Methods Assessment Methods
Has knowledge about the main aspects of quantitative methods 1,2,3,4,5 1,2,3 A, B
Identify the logical relationships among the subjects in each group and among the subjects groups.  1,2,3,4,5 1,2,3 A, B
Associate and differentiate various subjects in each group as well as among the groups. 4,5,6 1,2,3 A, B
Conducts statistical analyses and evaluations 5,6,7 1,2,3 A, B
Calculates statistical values amongst variables of interest  7,9,10 1,2,3 A, B
Conducts and interprets bivariate and multivariate regression 10,11,12,13  1,2,3 A, B
Ability to select the correct statistical approach based on the measurement of the dependent variable 12,13,14 1,2,3 A, B
Evaluates examples covered in lectures 12,13,14 1,2,3 A, B
Ability to develop alternative methods for problems 15 1,2,3 A, B

Course Flow

COURSE CONTENT
Week Topics Study Materials
1 Intro to Quantitative Approaches The Essentials of Political Analysis Pollock – Chapter 2 
2 Research Design and Hypothesis Formation The Essentials of Political Analysis Pollock – Chapter 3
3 Concepts, Variables, Measurement and Unit of Analysis The Essentials of Political Analysis Pollock –  Chapter 3
4 Central Limit Theorem  

The Essentials of Political Analysis Pollock – Chapter 4 

5 Hypothesis Based Comparisons The Essentials of Political Analysis Pollock – Chapter 5 
6 Controlled Comparisons The Essentials of Political Analysis Pollock – Chapter 5 
7 Hypothesis Testing, Statistical Differences and Statistical Inferences  The Essentials of Political Analysis Pollock – Chapter 6 
8 Midterm Exam   
9 Statistical Significance across variables of interest  Basic Econometrics Gujarati, Chapter 2
10 Correlation and Regression Basic Econometrics Gujarati, Chapter 3
11 Multivariate Regression Basic Econometrics Gujarati, Chapter 4
12 Logistic Regression
Basic Econometrics Gujarati, Chapter 5
13 Limited Dependent Variable Regression  Basic Econometrics Gujarati, Chapters 6-7. and Regression Models for Categorical and Limited Dependent Variables Long, Chapters 2-5
14 Visualization of Analyses The Essentials of Political Analysis Pollock – Chapter 9 
15 Review  

Recommended Sources

RECOMMENDED SOURCES
Textbook Philip Pollock (2009), The Essentials of Political Analysis, 3rd Edition, CQ Press.

 

Damodar Gujarati (2003) Basic Econometrics. McGraw Hill.

Additional Resources  

Jeffrey Wooldridge (2001) Econometric Analysis of Cross Sectional and Panel Data. MIT Press. 

 

J. Scott Long (1997) Regression Models for Categorical and Limited Dependent Variables. Sage Publications. 

 

Scott Eliason. (1993) Maximum Likelihood Estimation. Sage Publications. 

Material Sharing

MATERIAL SHARING
Documents -
Assignments 3 Lecture Assignments 
Exams 1 Midterm and 1 Final Exam

Assessment

ASSESSMENT
IN-TERM STUDIES NUMBER PERCENTAGE
Mid-term 1 30
Lecture Assignments  3 30
Total   60
CONTRIBUTION OF FINAL EXAMINATION TO OVERALL GRADE   40
CONTRIBUTION OF IN-TERM STUDIES TO OVERALL GRADE   60
Total   100

Course’s Contribution to Program

COURSE'S CONTRIBUTION TO PROGRAM
No Program Learning Outcomes Contribution
1 2 3 4 5  
1 The ability to analyze and critically evaluate basic research models, approaches and intellectual traditions in the field of political science, international relations, comparative politics, Turkish politics and foreign policy. To demonstrate the ability to create innovative and original contribution to the field by specializing and expanding on these models and approaches.     X      
2 To demonstrate the ability to make original contributions to the field with an interdisciplinary approach.     X      
3 A command of basic research models and approaches of political science and international relations discipline and the ability to apply them in academic research and project design.       X       
4 Having the ability to compare, contrast and analyze societal and political systems with an interdisciplinary approach.     X      
5 Having a command of qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods and abiding by the highest levels of academic and research ethics.         X  
6 The ability to contribute to the progress of the field of political science and international relations by conducting original and independent studies that produce original thought, methods, models, and applications to the field and/or utilize existing ideas, methods, models, and applications in another field of study.       X    
7 The ability to contribute to the progress of the field of political science and international relations by publishing at least one academic article at a refereed journal and/or by producing or interpreting an original contribution.         X  
8 To develop current and advanced level of data into original thought and research as a specialist. The ability to develop original ideas and methods in the field of political science and international relations.        X    
9 The ability to debate and make presentations within an intellectual framework, and the ability to express oneself in a professional and academic manner. The ability to apply academic writing and presentation methods to dissertations, articles, and project design.         X  
10 Having advanced reading, writing, comprehension and speaking skills in the English language.          X  
11 Having the ability to apply knowledge of political science and international relations discipline to information technologies and traditional tools so as to produce sound solutions to problems.         X  
12 Having the competency to work in the public sector, NGOs, research institutions and the academia.     X      
13 Having empathy towards diverse and differing communities, which will facilitate conducing teamwork at local as well as global platforms.       X    
14 Having competency of comprehending and interpreting local and global issues through information exchange with international academics and students.   X         

ECTS

ECTS ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD BY THE COURSE DESCRIPTION
Activities Quantity Duration
(Hour)
Total
Workload
(Hour)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours) 15 3 45
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice) 16 15 240
Mid-terms 1 10 10
Lecture assignments 3 25 75
Final examination 1 10 10
Total Workload     375
Total Workload / 25 (h)     15
ECTS Credit of the Course         15