Doing Research (2): Quantitative Methods (2026/2027: Periode 2)

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Cursusdoel

The objective of this course is for students to acquire a working knowledge of quantitative methods, summarized in the following learning objectives:

• Students have an understanding of essential statistical concepts such as probability distributions, bivariate and multivariate analysis, and statistical testing.
• Students understand the linear (bivariate and multivariate) regression model, including the ordinary least squares estimator and its statistical properties, functional form and model misspecification, and testing hypotheses.
• Students have coding proficiency in the software package STATA for data analysis. This includes performing simple data processing tasks to obtain a dataset suitable for empirical analysis.
• Students can recognize and implement the different stages of a quantitative research project; and produce, interpret, and assess empirical research output.
• Students can answer research questions by applying the aforementioned knowledge.
• Students have strengthened their interdisciplinary skills (Common Ground, Perspective Taking, and / or Integrating Perspectives)

Vakinhoudelijk

For the lectures and tutorials, the course approximately contains the following week-by-week material:

Week 1: Aim of the course; Key statistical concepts; Inference: Causality and empirical identification using quantitative methods
Week 2: Mechanics of the OLS regression model: Bivariate and multivariate OLS estimation (mechanics of least-squares, fitted values, residuals, R2, standard errors), including OLS assumptions and statistical properties
Week 3: Hypothesis testing (t-test and F-test) for OLS estimates
Week 4: Model specification and functional form (logs vs levels, dummies for ordinal and categorical variables, quadratic terms)
Week 5: Omitted variable bias; Presentation of research project (15% of total grade)
Week 6: Heteroskedasticity; Multicollinearity
Week 7: The linear probability model (OLS with a dummy dependent variable); Causality revisited (including examples on the use of experiments & natural experiments); Course summary; Deadline to hand in research project paper (30% of total grade)
Week 8: Final exam (55% of total grade, with at least a grade of 5.0)

In the computer lab sessions, students will receive an introduction to STATA in the first week of the course, and from week 2 onwards work in small groups with a provided dataset of their choice to answer a research question under the guidance of an instructor. Each week, students will incorporate the newly learned material into their paper. Students will present their preliminary findings in week 5 (15% of the final grade) and arrive at the final specification to answer their research question in week 6. They will then produce a short research report on that specification (30% of the final grade). In the report, the STATA code used to arrive at the the final model specification is included as an appendix for scientific replicability. All reports are screened using plagiarism-detection software.

Werkvormen

Computerpracticum
Toelichting

"Computerpracticum" are to learn STATA coding skills and students can work on their research project and discuss questions with their project advisor.

Bijdrage

Attendance of computer classes is mandatory. Failure to adequately contribute to the group research project results in a "did not complete" for the course.

Voorbereiding

Students are expected to work on their research project paper in groups during computer classes and at home. Students are expected to prepare, attend and actively participate in all computer classes. Attendance of computer classes is mandatory.

Hoorcollege
Toelichting

Plenary lectures introduce the material, using applications from various fields.

Bijdrage

Attendance of computer classes is mandatory. Attendance of other workforms is strongly recommended but on a voluntary basis.

Voorbereiding

Students are expected to study the lecture slides in advance of the lectures.

Tutorial
Toelichting

“Tutorials” are exercises which students prepare at home. The solutions will be discussed and taught by the tutorial teachers during the tutorials.

Bijdrage

Attendance of the tutorial is strongly recommended but on a voluntary basis.

Voorbereiding

Students are expected to prepare the answers to the tutorial exercises in advance and attend and actively participate in all tutorials.

Werkcollege
Toelichting

"Werkcollege" are office hour sessions where students can ask questions about all aspects of the material: this is meant to accommodate the large heterogeneity in student backgrounds.

Bijdrage

Attendance during office hours is voluntary.

Toetsing

Eindtoets

Verplicht | Weging 55% | Minimum cijfer 5,0 | ECTS 4,13

Understanding of elementary quantitative research methods, in both the theoretical and applied sense, though with a focus on applications.

Paper

Verplicht | Weging 30% | ECTS 2,25

The deadline for submitting the research project paper is the end of course week 7.

Presentatie

Verplicht | Weging 15% | ECTS 1,13

Students will present their preliminary findings of the research project during the computer classes in course week 5.

Ingangseisen en voorkennis

Ingangseisen

Je moet inschreven staan voor de volgende opleiding:

  • Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Voorkennis

This course is only open to PPE students.

Voertalen

  • Engels

Cursusmomenten

Gerelateerde studies

Tentamens

Type Datum Tijd Locatie
Eindtoets woensdag 27 januari 2027 13:30 - 16:30 EDUC MEGARON

Verplicht materiaal

  • WNB
    Studenmund, A.H. (2017), Using Econometrics. A Practical Guide. Pearson Publishing. ISBN 10: 1-292-15409-8; ISBN 13: 978-1-292-15409-1. Any edition will work.

Aanbevolen materiaal

Er is geen informatie over de aanbevolen literatuur bekend

Opmerkingen

This course is only open to PPE students

Coördinator

dr. S.C. Genz s.c.genz@uu.nl

Docenten

dr. S.C. Genz s.c.genz@uu.nl
dr. A. Rijpma A.Rijpma@uu.nl
dr. J.P. Tang j.p.tang@uu.nl

Inschrijving

Let op: deze cursus is niet toegankelijk voor studenten van andere faculteiten, bijvakkers mogen zich dus niet inschrijven.

Inschrijving
Van maandag 8 juni 2026 tot en met vrijdag 26 juni 2026

Na-inschrijving
Van maandag 19 oktober 2026 tot en met dinsdag 20 oktober 2026

Inschrijving niet geopend
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