30208
Seminar
WiSe 13/14: Experimental methods in the social sciences
Theresa Kuhn
Comments
For a long time, social and political sciences have been thought to be an 'observational' discipline whose core research questions do not lend themselves to experimental analysis. However, a wide array of recent studies employing experimental research methods has proven the opposite: Laboratory and field experiments provide plenty of opportunities to study social and political behaviour. What is more, they help shedding light on questions that are difficult to answer using more 'conventional' social science research methods, such as surveys.
This course provides a basic introduction into the logic, design and application of experimental methods in the social sciences. It will discuss the methodological approach and assumptions of experimental research as well as its advantages and limitations. The course then reviews basic statistical models that are widely used in experimental research. We will then cover various forms of experiments (laboratory-, survey- and field experiment) and critically evaluate experimental studies and scrutinize their design and conclusions.
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Suggested reading
Druckman, J., et al. eds. (2011) Cambridge Handbook of Experimental Political Science. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Morton, R. and Williams, K. (2010) Experimental Political Science and the Study of Causality. From Nature to the Lab. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
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16 Class schedule
Additional appointments
Wed, 2014-01-29 12:00 - 14:00Regular appointments
Wed, 2013-10-16 10:00 - 12:00
Wed, 2013-10-23 10:00 - 12:00
Wed, 2013-10-30 10:00 - 12:00
Wed, 2013-11-06 10:00 - 12:00
Wed, 2013-11-13 10:00 - 12:00
Wed, 2013-11-20 10:00 - 12:00
Wed, 2013-11-27 10:00 - 12:00
Wed, 2013-12-04 10:00 - 12:00
Wed, 2013-12-11 10:00 - 12:00
Wed, 2013-12-18 10:00 - 12:00
Wed, 2014-01-08 10:00 - 12:00
Wed, 2014-01-15 10:00 - 12:00
Wed, 2014-01-22 10:00 - 12:00
Wed, 2014-01-29 10:00 - 12:00
Wed, 2014-02-05 10:00 - 12:00
Wed, 2014-02-12 10:00 - 12:00