BA International Relations with Quantitative Research Methods (International)Commencing at level two
Year 4
(Award available for year: Bachelor of Arts)
Learning outcomes
On completion of Pathway, in addition to the core programme outcomes, students should have provided evidence of being able to:- understand a range of statistical functional forms;- carry out statistical analyses using the most common of these forms;- understand and analyse appropriately different data types (e.g. cross-section, time series, panel; macro-aggregate, micro-individual)- locate, collect, code / transform and merge secondary datasets for primary analysis;- understand advanced data collection techniques and, where appropriate, apply these;- understand and critique advanced statistical analysis in secondary literature;- write up advanced multivariate analyses;- understand and explain the limits of quantitative data analyses;- mix methods to include both quantitative and qualitative analyses;
Transferable (key) skills
Students will have had the opportunity to acquire, as defined in the modules specified for the Pathway:- analytical techniques appropriate for different types of political, socio-economic, public opinion and sectoral data;- the appropriate boundaries, analytically and ethically, for data collection and analysis;- the capacity to make assumptions in analyses, quantitative or qualitative, and explain these to a variety of audiences;- the ability to simplify complex realities into a series of testable propositions, and highlight the attendant strengths and weaknesses of such a design;- the ability to undertake further, advanced statistical and analytical training;
Assessment
Achievement will be assessed by a variety of methods in accordance with the learning outcomes of the modules specified for the year/programme and will include:- understanding and interpretation of advanced statistical techniques;- design, operationalisation and testing of advanced multivariate analysis;- inclusion of appropriate bivariate and multivariate analysis in full research design, including derivation of theoretical framework.