Lab: Data Analysis for the Study of Social Inequalities in a Comparative Perspective
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
Learning Objectives
This lab focuses on analyzing social inequalities from a comparative perspective. Students participating in the lab will:
- Learn to interpret aggregate data within a comparative framework.
- Become familiar with key measures used to describe data as well as measures of inequality.
- Interpret aggregate (and possibly individual) data to extract meaningful insights and answer research questions about inequality from a comparative perspective.
- Actively engage with data and analysis on a weekly basis.
- Work on a final group research paper based on data and methods discussed in class.
This lab focuses on analyzing social inequalities from a comparative perspective. Students participating in the lab will:
- Learn to interpret aggregate data within a comparative framework.
- Become familiar with key measures used to describe data as well as measures of inequality.
- Interpret aggregate (and possibly individual) data to extract meaningful insights and answer research questions about inequality from a comparative perspective.
- Actively engage with data and analysis on a weekly basis.
- Work on a final group research paper based on data and methods discussed in class.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the lab, students will be able to:
- Understand key debates about inequality in a comparative perspective.
- Develop and investigate research questions that take a comparative approach.
- Understand the relationship between aggregate and individual level data.
- Reflect on the role of context in the analysis of social inequalities.
- Conduct basic comparative analyses, recognizing the strengths and limitations of different methodological tools
- Understand key debates about inequality in a comparative perspective.
- Develop and investigate research questions that take a comparative approach.
- Understand the relationship between aggregate and individual level data.
- Reflect on the role of context in the analysis of social inequalities.
- Conduct basic comparative analyses, recognizing the strengths and limitations of different methodological tools
Lesson period: Third trimester
Assessment methods: Giudizio di approvazione
Assessment result: superato/non superato
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Third trimester
Course syllabus
1. Brief Introduction to Comparative Research
- Teorethical approaches to comparative research and the study of social inequalities in a comparative perspective
- Examples of empirical studies that investigate social inequalities in a comparative perspective
2. Aggregate Data:
- International policy reports and data sources
- Aggregate data sources: OECD, Eurostat, World Bank
3. Exploring Correlations with Aggregate Data
- Hands-on analysis with country-level data
- Descriptive statistics and indices measuring social inequalities
- Data visualization techniques in comparative research
4. From Aggregate (back) to Individual Data
- Limitations of aggregate data: Ecological fallacy, lack of granularity and contextual specificity
- Introduction to individual-level data
5. Risk of ignoring the structure of correlations within groups:
- Overview of Methodologies for Clustered Data
- Practical applications: Comparing individuals within and between countries
- Teorethical approaches to comparative research and the study of social inequalities in a comparative perspective
- Examples of empirical studies that investigate social inequalities in a comparative perspective
2. Aggregate Data:
- International policy reports and data sources
- Aggregate data sources: OECD, Eurostat, World Bank
3. Exploring Correlations with Aggregate Data
- Hands-on analysis with country-level data
- Descriptive statistics and indices measuring social inequalities
- Data visualization techniques in comparative research
4. From Aggregate (back) to Individual Data
- Limitations of aggregate data: Ecological fallacy, lack of granularity and contextual specificity
- Introduction to individual-level data
5. Risk of ignoring the structure of correlations within groups:
- Overview of Methodologies for Clustered Data
- Practical applications: Comparing individuals within and between countries
Prerequisites for admission
Given its introductory nature, the teaching does not require prerequisites related to content. However, a basic knowledge of quantitative social research methods is recommended. Basic notions of STATA or R are also welcome.
Teaching methods
This lab focuses on analyzing social inequalities through a comparative perspective. Students will examine aggregate data (across countries), learn how these data are constructed, and apply the most common methods for analyzing both aggregate and individual-level data in a comparative perspective. Each class will have a practical goal, and students will be asked to actively engage with data and analysis on a weekly basis.
Teaching Resources
Slides and materials for in-class exercises provided by the lecturer.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final project will be a group research paper based on the data and methods discussed in class.
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)