POL232H1S L5101
Introduction to Quantitative Reasoning II
Themes
Building up on POL222H1 (Introduction to Quantitative Reasoning I), this course will continue to build theoretical foundations of quantitative empirical methods and the practical aspects of data analysis using computer. In addition to introducing students to fundamental concepts in statistics, the course covers descriptive statistics such as measures of central tendency and dispersion, visualization techniques, measures of association between variables, bivariate and multivariate regression analysis, and deals with the key concepts of probability theory and statistical inference. The course will employ the most important quantitative concepts through hands-on application using R/RStudio. The objectives of this course are not only to produce trained consumers of quantitative research but to provide the required skills for students to conduct their own empirical research independently with minimum guidance. By the end of semester, students will learn the basic use of statistical software (R/RStudio) and be able to conduct a basic data analysis and communicate their findings by themselves.
Texts
Paul M. Kellstedt and Guy D. Whitten, The Fundamentals of Political Science Research, Third Edition (Cambridge University Press, 2018).
Philip H. Pollock III and Barry C. Edwards, An R Companion to Political Analysis, Second Edition (CQ Press, 2017).
(The above textbooks are available in the University of Toronto bookstore. I will post other readings, if needed, on Quercus.)
Format and Requirements
Participation (10%); Homework assignments (2 * 10) (20%); Empirical Research Proposal (20%); Empirical Research Paper (30%); Final Test (20%)
Prerequisites
POL222H1