Advanced Topics in Quantitative Methods (7.5 ECTS)

Introduction to Advanced Topics in Quantitative Methods

The course covers both the theoretical background and application of more advanced statistical and quantitative methods in business and social science. Upon completion of the course, students should have a theoretical understanding of the methods introduced and apply them to specific research problems. Building on the first 'Quantitative Methods for Business and Social Science' course in IBP, this course will first deepen students' theoretical understanding of multiple regression analysis. Next, the course will cover more advanced statistical methods and methods of causal inference, such as instrumental variables and panel data methods. The course consists of both lectures and applied exercises, in which we will actively work on implementing the methods covered in lectures.

Please note: This course uses an applied approach and thus we will use software (R) to work with data throughout the whole course and in the examination. Beyond the software examples in the applied textbooks, students will receive a refresher to the software in the early stages of the course

Learning objectives

- Understand the theoretical assumptions behind statistical methods covered in the course

- Be able to apply linear regression models and more advanced methods introduced in the course to problems in the social sciences and study of business

- Understand and make use of analytical approaches to better understand human behavior in the political and business world

- Ability to use the R software to undertake data visualization and statistical analysis of social science data

- Ability to estimate and interpret advanced quantitative methods to answer important questions in the social sciences and study of business, in particular estimating causal effects.

ECTS

7.5