GDEV 6190 - Quantitative Research Methods

Fall. 4 credits. Letter grades only.

Prerequisite: statistics course or permission of instructor. Credit hours reflect a short intermission midway through each class period.

J. Sipple.

Graduate-level course in measurement and analysis of survey, demographic, and observational data. Topics include linear regression, analysis of variance, and analysis of covariance with both continuous and categorical variables. Non-linear regression models are also introduced in the form of logistic and multinomial logistic regression. Examples are illustrated using data from sources such as the General Social Survey, the U.S. Census, the American Community Survey, and the National Center for Educational Statistics. Students familiarize themselves with data cleaning, missing data estimation, variable transformations, sub-setting, and other data handling procedures using statistical programs such as STATA, SPSS, and SAS. Students are responsible for lab assignments involving the preparation of basic data preparation and analysis programs.

Outcome 1: Find, download, and manage data useful for social science analysis.

Outcome 2: Create and manage a syntax file to establish a record of all methodological work.

Outcome 3: Pose research questions and design statistical methods to answer the questions.

Outcome 4: Implement appropriate statistical tests when needed.

Outcome 5: Present and defend questions, methods and findings.