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Semester | spring semester 2019 |
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 |
Comments | This course is held in early June in compact format. It is essential that students have read the preparatory reading by then. Further preparatory tasks will be communicated to the participants by the end of March 2019. |
Language of instruction | English |
Use of digital media | No specific media used |
Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
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No dates available. Please contact the lecturer.
Modules |
Modul: Empirische Forschungsmethoden (Master's degree subject: Political Science) Modul: Methoden der Gesellschaftswissenschaften (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) Modul: Methoden der Soziologie: quantitativ (Master's degree subject: Sociology) Modul: Research Skills (Master's degree program: African Studies) 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) |
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. 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 |