Fall/Winter Timetable
POL2504H1F L0101
Statistics for Political Scientists
Themes
The course will give an overview of quantitative methods and techniques which are core to the analysis of empirical data in Political Science and related disciplines. The aim is to provide an understanding of statistical methods to be able to (1) conduct statistical tests in a variety of applications, and (2) quantify dependencies between variables. The course requires that students either have had an introduction to questions of research design and basic descriptive statistics at the undergraduate level, or do preparatory readings before the beginning of the course. In the first part of the course, an introduction to descriptive statistics and regression analysis will be given. Part two will focus on the application of probability concepts and statistical tests in social science contexts. The last part will involve the use of non-linear and multivariate techniques to analyze datasets, and deal with potential problems. Along with a mathematical introduction to various methods, their application through the use of statistical computer packages (i.e. SPSS) will also be part of the course.
Format and Requirements
The course will be largely lecture-based but give a lot of opportunity for in-class discussion. The evaluation will be based on a number of assignments, class participation, a mid-term exam and a final take-home exam.
November 14, 2023
Congratulations to Madalyn Hay, a recipient of a 2023-2024 Connaught PhDs for Public Impact Fellowship. Madalyn, one of our doctoral students, holds a BAH in Contemporary Studies and Classics from the...
August 24, 2023
Congratulations to alumna Meaghan Williams, a recipient of the 2022-23 Governor General’s Gold Medal for Academic Excellence, the highest academic honour available to graduate students in Canada. Awarded annually by the Office of the...
June 14, 2021
Great news from the Canadian Political Science Association, which held its annual awards ceremony (online) over the weekend of June 12 & 13: Professor Stefan Rencken’s book "Private Governance and Public...
April 22, 2021
Congratulations to two political science alumni now teaching at U of T who have both won Superior Teaching Awards! Igor Shoikhedbrod and Khalid Ahmed will be celebrated on May 5th at...
August 6, 2020
Q&A with 2020 Vanier Scholar Yojana Miraya Oscco Congratulations to PhD student Yojana Miraya Oscco who has won a prestigious Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (SSHRC). Launched in 2008, the program enables...
April 30, 2020
Congratulations to our graduate student Kevin Edmonds who has won New College's June Larkin Award for Pedagogical Development. A PhD candidate specializing in Caribbean political economy, histories of alternative/illicit development, foreign intervention and...