You will learn to perform descriptive and inferential statistics using Stata, a professional statistical programming language widely used in academia, government, and industry. From bar charts and scatter plots to advanced regression analysis, you'll develop practical skills in data management and analysis that are essential for modern social science research.
This module directly enhances your employability by teaching you industry-standard data analysis skills highly valued across sectors including policy analysis, consultancy, research, finance, and technology. These capabilities will distinguish you in competitive graduate job markets and are increasingly essential for careers in the public and private sectors. You will learn how to carry out descriptive statistics (bar charts, histograms, and scatter plots) and inferential statistics using a statistical programming language Stata, which enables you to perform practical skills of data management and analysis. The fundamental question we want to answer in this module is: How do we know we are wrong? We need a method. And you will become familiar with the most used method in data science: regression analysis.
The module also provides crucial preparation for your dissertation, enabling you to conduct sophisticated empirical research with large datasets. It is strongly recommended for students planning quantitative dissertations and for those taking advanced modules including Foreign Policy Analysis and International Crises (POLI236), Strategic Studies in Conflict and Terrorism (POLI347), Comparative Electoral Behaviour (POLI322), and Politics and the Brain (POLI346).