Entry requirements

1. Bachelor of Arts/Social Science degree with at least 90 credits in peace and conflict studies, or 90 credits in a related relevant discipline and at least 30 credits in major subject or equivalent experience.

2. Enrolment and participation in Methods I as well as documented evidence of having obtained sufficient knowledge in using statistical software and regression analysis. Documentation of the latter needs to be presented and discussed with the Methods course convener for approval.

Learning outcomes

After completion, the student is expected to:

• have attained familiarity with quantitative methods in peace and conflict research
• know how to carry out simple Monte Carlo simulation techniques and use to evaluate specification problems
• have attained basic knowledge of the R statistical software package
• know how to specify, estimate, interpret generalised linear regression models such as:
  • time-series models and panel models
  • binary, multinomial, and ordinal logit models
  • count models

• be familiar with basic measures for classification and evaluation of predictions

Content

Focus will be on practical use in the form of specifying, estimating, interpreting, and evaluating models, understanding the concept of data-generating processes, as well as on reviewing published work that applies these models. The theoretical introduction to the models will involve basic mathematical notation. The introduction to R will place considerable emphasis on R’s scripting language, and also introduce basic programming techniques required for efficient and transparent research procedures as well as for the application of Monte Carlo techniques.

Instruction

There will be 10 lectures. Four assignments will be given and responded to throughout the course (approximately one every week). PhD students will have a more extensive reading list and be required to submit a longer course paper in addition to the assignments.

Assessment

Assessment for Master's students will be based on the four assignments (80%) and active participation during lectures (20%). Assessment for PhD students will be based on the four assignments (50%), the course paper (30%), and active participation during lectures (20%). Each assignment will consist of a short course paper and a working R script that produces the results in the paper. All assignments must be handed in.

Grades: Pass with distinction (VG), Pass (G), Fail (U). Two dates to resubmit course papers are offered per year.

Other directives

The course will be given jointly to PhD and Master's students. The course aims at preparing the student for writing a quantitative Master's thesis or research paper. Upon completion, the student will also have strengthened ability to read, evaluate critically, and replicate the majority of the published studies within quantitative peace and conflict research.