Course Site for Bush 631 -- Fall 2021

Website for the course BUSH631 (Quant methods) for Fall 2021

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Lecturer

Dr. Rotem Dvir

Email: rdvir@tamu.edu.

Website: https://rotemdvir.wixsite.com/mysite

Course Description

This is a graduate course in quantitative social science research methods that covers the tools and techniques of quality research design and an introduction to basic statistical skills to conduct research in the social sciences. We will discuss multiple methods to design a research and use quantitative data to tackle a variety of questions in politics as a whole, and international affairs in particular. For example, What is the best way to predict election outcomes? What factors drive the onset of wars? What is the likelihood of a successful sanctions regime? Which type of leaders are more prone to concede in an international dispute? and how public opinion may shape the decision to begin negotiations?
The course integrates discussions about research design and data analysis with the focus on causal reasoning. It also emphasizes learning and practicing the skills to become proficient in the use of statistical software to manage and analyze data. Students submit tasks in which they design research relevant to their field of interest, practice programming, and prepare a final project that combines data analysis with policy relevance in a data-oriented policy brief.

Course Material

Textbook: Imai, Kosuke. (2017). Quantitative Social Science: An Introduction.

Syllabus: Bush631.

Assignments and Tasks:

Writing resources.

International Affairs Analysis:

Week 1 (08.31.2021)

Week 2 (09.07.2021)

Week 3 (09.14.2021)

Week 4 (09.21.2021)

Week 5 (09.28.2021)

Week 6 (10.05.2021)

Week 7 (10.12.2021)

Week 8 (10.19.2021)

Week 9 (10.26.2021)

Week 10 (11.02.2021)

Week 11 (11.09.2021)

Week 12 (11.16.2021)

Week 13 (11.23.2021)

Week 14 (11.30.2021)