PECOS4022 - Applied Statistics for Peace and Conflict Studies
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
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Course content
The course introduces students to various statistical techniques widely used in the peace and conflict literature. The main focus is on Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression, Logit regression, and Panel Data models.
The course is mandatory for the PECOS-students that follow the political science track and will provide them with tools to read and critically evaluate existing statistical research on peace and conflict topics, as well as conducting their own statistical studies.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
Students will:
- obtain a good grasp of various statistical concepts and measures;
- be well acquainted with various criteria for "good" estimators;
- know the ordinary least squares estimator, and under which conditions it functions properly
- be well acquainted with various transformations of variables, such as logarithmic transformations;
- know the logit model and its underlying logic, and have cursory knowledge of alternative methods for analysing binary dependent variables, such as probit;
- understand what a variable's level of measurement is, and have knowledge of multinomial logit models (for analysing nominal dependent variables) and ordered logit models (for analysing ordinal dependent variables);
- be well acquainted with different types of data structures and the differences between them, including cross-sectional data, time-series data, and panel data;
- learn how to interpret interaction terms and discuss interaction effects;
- obtain some standard types of robustness checks for statistical analysis;
- learn how to read and present statistical material visually in tables and figures.
Skills
Students will:
- be able to critically read and evaluate existing statistical studies on peace and conflict topics;
- be able to handle large data sets using STATA, including coding new variables and transforming existing variables in the data set;
- be able to apply the various statistical models mentioned above to large data sets, and learn how to properly test hypotheses, interpret results, and draw careful conclusions;
- be able to replicate statistical studies in peace and conflict research, and to conduct independent statistical studies on peace and conflict topics.
Competences:
Students will:
- enhance their capabilities in carrying out thorough, independent and critical analysis of complex questions;
- enhance their capabilities in critically evaluating empirical research;
- enhance their understanding of various elements of the scientific process, including aspects of the relation between theory and empirical evidence and between concepts and measures.
Admission
Students admitted to other Master programmes may be qualified to apply for the course. Please see the webpage on Admission to single master's courses.
For incoming students: All Master's courses in Political Science must be registered manually by the Department, they will not appear in Studentweb. Contact your international coordinator at UiO.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Basic concepts in descriptive statistics related to measures of central tendency (e.g. mean and median), dispersion (e.g. standard deviation, rage), and measures of association and correlation (e.g. percentage difference and Pearson's r correlation coefficient). Furthermore, basic knowledge of inferential statistics and of OLS regression (bivariate and multivariate) is required.
Recommended previous knowledge
PECOS4021 Research Methods.
Teaching
Lectures.
The lectures are not compulsary, but we recommend you to follow them.
Seminars which are mandatory. The seminars will take place in a computer lab.
Access to teaching
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
4-hour written exam. Term paper.
Participants will be evaluated on the basis of two components, with each component accounting for approximately 50 percent of the final grade. The first component is a 4-hour written exam, and the second component is a paper (10-15 pages in total, 12pt font, doublespaced, 2.5cm margins). The paper will be based on the student's choice of one out of a few pre-formulated assignments given to students in advance. Students will be provided with the neccessary data material to answer the assignments.
In order to pass the course, you have to have a pass grade both for the invigilated exam and the term paper, and your exam and your term paper assignment must be passed in the same semester as the course is taught. As you will receive one overall grade for the course you must pass both exams in the same semester as the course is taught.
Examination support material
Students may use dictionaries at this exam. Dictionaries must be handed in before the examination. Please read regulations for dictionaries permitted at the examination.
Calculators are permitted. It is not allowed to add new functions/information/software to a calculator, and it is not allowed to use calculators for communication during the exam.
Language of examination
English
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
- Explanation of grades - deadline and processing time
- Appeal about grades
- Complaint about formal exam errors
Ask for explanation of your grade in this course
Resit an examination
Withdrawal from an examination
If you wish to withdraw from the exam you must do so in StudentWeb at least two weeks prior to the deadline. Failure to do so will be counted as one of the three opportunities to sit the exam.
Special examination arrangements
If you have a disability or a health problem that entails significant inconvenience in an examination situation, you may be considered for special examination arrangements. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.