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| Semester | spring semester 2021 |
| 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 | German |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Wednesday | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz - |
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 03.03.2021 | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Wednesday 10.03.2021 | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Wednesday 17.03.2021 | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Wednesday 24.03.2021 | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Wednesday 31.03.2021 | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Wednesday 07.04.2021 | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Wednesday 14.04.2021 | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Wednesday 21.04.2021 | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Wednesday 28.04.2021 | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Wednesday 05.05.2021 | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Wednesday 12.05.2021 | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Wednesday 19.05.2021 | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Wednesday 26.05.2021 | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Wednesday 02.06.2021 | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Modules |
Modul: Creating, Analyzing and Visualizing of Data (Master's degree subject: Digital Humanities) Modul: Erweiterung Gesellschaftswissenschaften M.A. (Master's degree subject: Political Science) Modul: Methoden der Gesellschaftswissenschaften (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) 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: Research Skills (Master's degree program: African Studies) Modul: Transfer: Europa interdisziplinär (Master's degree program: European History in Global Perspective) 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 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 |