Meets the following requirements: HS QR   

Suppose that you wanted to see how corporations' political activity affects their profits, or determine the most cost effective way to help children succeed in school, or examine what village characteristics lessen deaths from natural disasters; how would you do it?  This course gives students familiarity with statistical techniques used to estimate relationships and test hypotheses using economic, social, and political data. After briefly surveying necessary statistical concepts, we will examine the technique of classical linear regression, the assumptions that underlie it, and ways to handle violations of those assumptions. The  mathematical structure of linear regression will be examined, but primary emphasis will be on practical application and use via running regressions using typical computer software used by practitioners. Each student will collect an appropriate data set (relating to a topic of his or her choice) and use it to gain familiarity both with theoretical concepts and practical considerations. Evaluation will be based on this project (including intermediate steps) and problems sets relating both to concepts and computer applications. While most of the techniques we will examine were developed in the context of economics, their application is appropriate for most social sciences.

Level:  Intermediate/Advanced. Prerequisite: One term of economics or permission of instructor. *HS*, *QR*. Class size 20.