As taught Spring Semester 2011. The objective of this module is to introduce students to the practice of quantitative data analysis in the social sciences. The lecture component of the module will explore a variety of the most commonly used statistical methods; in the laboratory component, students will learn to apply these techniques to the analysis of social science data. Through assignments, students will have the opportunity to develop and test their own hypotheses and explanations on major research data sets. The module should provide a sound grasp of the possibilities, methods, and dangers inherent in quantitative social and political research. Module Codes: M14121 (20 credits) Suitable for study at: Postgraduate Level Dr Mark Pickup, School of Politics and International Relations Dr Mark Pickup is a specialist in Comparative politics, with a particular interest in public opinion and democratic representation within North American and European countries. His research focuses on political information, public opinion, the media, election campaigns and electoral institutions. Dr Pickup is also a Visiting Fellow in the Department of Politics at the University of Oxford, where he runs the Oxford Polling Observatory website