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33426-01 - Seminar: Quantitative Data Analysis in African Studies (3 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2025 |
| Course frequency | Every spring sem. |
| Lecturers | Elisio Macamo (elisio.macamo@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | The aim of this course is to improve participants’ ability to read and critically engage with quantitative research reports. It assumes no advanced knowledge of mathematics and does not expect participants to be familiar with advanced statistical methods. The course will introduce participants to the logic of quantitative analysis by exploring fundamental aspects of the logic underlying it and in this way improving participants’ own analytical and critical skills. In preparation for the course, participants are required to not only read the recommended literature, but also identify a quantitative research report (article, book chapter, etc.), which they are expected to critically evaluate as part of their own evaluation for the course. |
| Learning objectives | Students know - that “analysis” is above all an exercise in argumentation; - how to identify the logical structure of explanations in quantitative analysis; - how basic argument forms such as comparison and representativeness can be deployed in analysis; - how to avoid the pitfalls of faulty reasoning such as in “cause and effect”, “ignoring evidence” and “anticipation”; - how to deploy quantitative analytic tools in the context of Africa. |
| Bibliography | Neuman, Lawrence, W. 2007: Basics of Social Research – Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. Pearson Education. Boston (chapter 10). Kalof, Linda, Dan, Amy and Dietz, Thomas 2008: Essentials of Social Research. Open University Press. Maidenhead (chapter 3). Best, Joel 2001: Damned Lies and Statistics – Untangling numbers from the media, politicians, and activists. University of California Press. Berkeley. Browne, M. Neil and Keeley, Stuart M. 2007: Asking the Right Questions – A guide to critical thinking. Pearson Prentice Hall. New Jersey. Murphy, Robert P. Economists Should Be More Careful With Their Statistics. Here: https://www.econlib.org/library/Columns/y2018/Murphystatistics.html |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Wednesday | 10.15-12.00 | Rheinsprung 21, Seminarraum 00.004 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 19.02.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Rheinsprung 21, Seminarraum 00.004 |
| Wednesday 26.02.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Rheinsprung 21, Seminarraum 00.004 |
| Wednesday 05.03.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Rheinsprung 21, Seminarraum 00.004 |
| Wednesday 12.03.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Fasnachstferien |
| Wednesday 19.03.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Rheinsprung 21, Seminarraum 00.004 |
| Wednesday 26.03.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Rheinsprung 21, Seminarraum 00.004 |
| Wednesday 02.04.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Rheinsprung 21, Seminarraum 00.004 |
| Wednesday 09.04.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Rheinsprung 21, Seminarraum 00.004 |
| Wednesday 16.04.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Rheinsprung 21, Seminarraum 00.004 |
| Wednesday 23.04.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Rheinsprung 21, Seminarraum 00.004 |
| Wednesday 30.04.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Rheinsprung 21, Seminarraum 00.004 |
| Wednesday 07.05.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Rheinsprung 21, Seminarraum 00.004 |
| Wednesday 14.05.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Rheinsprung 21, Seminarraum 00.004 |
| Wednesday 21.05.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Rheinsprung 21, Seminarraum 00.004 |
| Wednesday 28.05.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Rheinsprung 21, Seminarraum 00.004 |
| Modules |
Modul: Digital Humanities, Culture and Society (Master's degree subject: Digital Humanities) Modul: Erweiterung Gesellschaftswissenschaften M.A. (Master's degree subject: Political Science) Modul: Methoden der Near & Middle Eastern Studies und der Gesellschaftswissenschaften (Master's degree subject: Near & Middle Eastern Studies) Modul: Methoden der Soziologie und der Gesellschaftswissenschaften: quantitativ (Master's degree subject: Sociology) Modul: Transfer: Europa interdisziplinär (Master's degree program: European History in Global Perspective) Module: Methods for Analyzing Changing Societies (Master's degree program: Changing Societies: Migration – Conflicts – Resources) Module: Preparation Master's Thesis in Social Sciences (Master's Studies: Sustainable Development) Module: Research Skills (Master's degree program: African Studies) Module: Societal Approaches (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | In preparation for the course, participants are required to not only read the recommended literature, but also identify a quantitative research report (article, book chapter, etc), which they are expected to critically evaluate as part of their own evaluation for the course. The block course consists of morning sessions only except from tuesday. Participants must allow for sufficient time for daily assignments.. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Zentrum für Afrikastudien |