Quantitative Methods for Empirical Research
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Undefined
Expected learning outcomes
Undefined
Lesson period: Second trimester
Assessment methods: Giudizio di approvazione
Assessment result: superato/non superato
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second trimester
Course syllabus
NB: The content and pace of the course might be adapted based on the class progress.
Session 1 - Course Introduction; Scientific Inference & Good Research Questions
Session 2 - The Basics of Statistical Research I & Introduction to Stata
Session 3 - The Basics of Statistical Research II
Session 4 - Hypothesis-Testing, Testing Bivariate Relations
Session 5 - LAB SESSION: Describing Reality with Statistics
Session 6 - Testing Multivariate Relations
Session 7 - Multivariate OLS II; Writing Up Results
Session 8 - Students' Research Design Presentations; OLS extensions
Session 9 - OLS extensions; Lab Session
Session 10 - Closing Session; Lab Session
Session 1 - Course Introduction; Scientific Inference & Good Research Questions
Session 2 - The Basics of Statistical Research I & Introduction to Stata
Session 3 - The Basics of Statistical Research II
Session 4 - Hypothesis-Testing, Testing Bivariate Relations
Session 5 - LAB SESSION: Describing Reality with Statistics
Session 6 - Testing Multivariate Relations
Session 7 - Multivariate OLS II; Writing Up Results
Session 8 - Students' Research Design Presentations; OLS extensions
Session 9 - OLS extensions; Lab Session
Session 10 - Closing Session; Lab Session
Prerequisites for admission
No specific preliminary knowledge is required. Prior to the start of the lab, students will be approached to better understand their background (if any) in quantitative methods, which will be used to adapt the pace of the course, and, if necessary, learning outcomes.
Teaching methods
The course sessions are set up through a combination of short interactive lectures, class discussions and assignments, and practical lab sessions. Students are expected to come to class prepared, having studied the assigned literature, and are encouraged to come with their questions to class. During the sessions we will keep in mind your potential final project: your own applied research, that could potentially form the basis of your master thesis. If is therefore helpful if students have a research idea in mind that they further develop over the course of the sessions. Students without a research topic will have opportunities to brainstorm during early sessions.
Students are expected to bring their laptop to class, with the Stata software installed. The university provides the license, see https://work.unimi.it/aree_protette/121946.htm.
Students are expected to bring their laptop to class, with the Stata software installed. The university provides the license, see https://work.unimi.it/aree_protette/121946.htm.
Teaching Resources
- Kellstedt, P.M. and Whitten, G.D. (2018). The Fundamentals of Political Science Research. Cambridge University Press. (Third Edition) - acronym: K&W
- Kellstedt, P.M. and Whitten, G.D. (2019). A Stata Companion for the Third Edition of The Fundamentals of Political Science Research. Cambridge University Press. - acronym: K&W-Stata.
Access is provided to the online Cambridge versions of these books through the University library Minerva.
Specific readings are assigned to each session (see extended syllabus on MyAriel).
- Kellstedt, P.M. and Whitten, G.D. (2019). A Stata Companion for the Third Edition of The Fundamentals of Political Science Research. Cambridge University Press. - acronym: K&W-Stata.
Access is provided to the online Cambridge versions of these books through the University library Minerva.
Specific readings are assigned to each session (see extended syllabus on MyAriel).
Assessment methods and Criteria
This is a pass/fail course. Active class participation is mandatory. Students are allowed to miss up to two sessions with a valid reason, but there is a strict 80% minimum participation required to pass the course. Exercises are assigned during each practical session. The final assignment is a short research paper in which students ultimately answer their own research question by empirically testing the derived hypotheses.
Professor(s)