Introduction to Bayesian Inference

Political scientists are increasingly applying a Bayesian approach to diverse kinds of research topics. This is because it has many attractive features, including the ability to:

• handle aggregate data without sampling processes
• analyse small-N data
• estimate models with complex likelihood functions.

The increasing capacity of modern computers is now enabling a wider range of researchers to conduct such computationally intensive estimations.

Despite these advantages, we must still address several challenges:

• Bayesian statistics and conventional statistics are based on different views concerning theory and data, and this is not sufficiently acknowledged
• the literature, including textbooks, is in general too technical to motivate most political scientists to apply Bayesian analysis to their research questions
• programs needed for Bayesian analysis are not user-friendly enough for most political scientists.

The course aims to close these gaps, by:

1. providing a conceptual background for Bayesian analysis
2. showing you how to read the literature using Bayesian statistics, and interpret the results
3. introducing you to software for Bayesian analysis, with political science examples.

The course covers:

• fundamentals of Bayesian analysis
• estimation of linear regression models using conjugacy and Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC)
• estimation of various regression models (binary logit/probit, poisson, robust regression, etc) and further topics (model selection and check, data augmentation, etc) in Bayesian framework.

This is an introductory, one-week course. We cannot, therefore, cover the wide range of statistical models and advanced topics in Bayesian statistics. If you already have basic knowledge of Bayesian statistics, and if you can conduct regression analysis using JAGS/Stan, this course is not adequate.

How the course will work online

The course consists of lectures and lab sessions. The lecture deals with relevant background knowledge as well as specific skills for Bayesian analysis. In lab sessions, we'll apply these skills to political and social science data.

You will also gain basic knowledge of JAGS and Stan, enabling you to conduct Bayesian estimation using MCMC.

Knowledge in statistical analysis, including regression models with different types of dependent variables, is essential. During lab sessions, you will learn how to use JAGS and Stan from R. Therefore, the basic knowledge in R is also required.

Each course includes pre-course assignments, including readings and pre-recorded videos, as well as daily live lectures totalling at least three hours. The instructor will conduct live Q&A sessions and offer designated office hours for one-to-one consultations.

Please check your course format before registering.

Online courses

Live classes will be held daily for three hours on a video meeting platform, allowing you to interact with both the instructor and other participants in real-time. To avoid online fatigue, the course employs a pedagogy that includes small-group work, short and focused tasks, as well as troubleshooting exercises that utilise a variety of online applications to facilitate collaboration and engagement with the course content.

In-person courses

In-person courses will consist of daily three-hour classroom sessions, featuring a range of interactive in-class activities including short lectures, peer feedback, group exercises, and presentations.

Disclaimer

This course description may be subject to subsequent adaptations (e.g. taking into account new developments in the field, participant demands, group size, etc.). Registered participants will be informed at the time of change.

By registering for this course, you confirm that you possess the knowledge required to follow it. The instructor will not teach these prerequisite items. If in doubt, please contact us before registering.