Quantitative Methods

Catalog description

This course reviews the principles of quantitative research methods with the aim of providing a foundation of skills to (1) assess appropriate empirical methodologies and (2) design empirical research studies. The course will cover: - Formulation of research questions and appropriate empirical research methodologies - Assumptions and biases underlying methodologies - Sampling strategies and measurement - Quantitative/survey based observational studies - Experimental and quasi-experimental designs - Research ethics and principles of integrity and open science The course will also guide students on how to review and critique empirical research articles and conduct literature reviews of empirical research. This course assumes working knowledge of statistics and multi-variate regression analysis. Topics such as historical and content analysis, and mixed-methods and related qualitative research approaches, will be lightly incorporated but not formally covered during class. The course will introduce students to sources and resources for collecting and analyzing data, programming, and statistical software for implementing empirical methodologies, but will not explicitly cover these topics. ​