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Discover ECPR's Latest Methods Course Offerings

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Maths Refresher – FREE COURSE

Member rate £492.50
Non-Member rate £985.00

Save £45 Loyalty discount applied automatically*
Save 5% on each additional course booked

*If you attended our Methods School in the last calendar year, you qualify for £45 off your course fee.

Course Dates and Times

Monday 25 February – Friday 1 March, 08:00–08:50
This is a FREE supplementary course. You must register and pay for a one-week or two-week course in order to take it. To book, please check the box when registering. If you have already registered and would like to add this course, email methodsschool@ecpr.eu

Susumu Shikano

susumu.shikano@uni-konstanz.de

Universität Konstanz

Quick maths refresher focusing on topics essential to better understand analytical tools in modern social scientific research.

Such tools include statistical models (e.g. linear regression, factor analysis), estimation techniques (e.g. least squares, maximum likelihood), measurement, formal modelling, and all kinds of inferences.

The course deals with:

  • logic
  • algebra
  • calculus
  • matrix
  • probability

Logic is essential for sound inferences as well as for theory formation. Algebra, calculus and matrices are essential for formal modelling and for better understanding statistical models and estimation techniques. Probability playes a crucial role in statistical models as well as measurement of theoretical concepts.

We won't be able to discuss individual topics thoroughly in such a short space of time. Instead, I will emphasise the relationship between mathematics and individual aspects of social science research.

After this course, you can extend your knowledge of maths through the recommended readings, depending on your areas of interest.


Instructor Bio

Susumu Shikano is Professor of Political Methodology at the University of Konstanz. His research interests are spatial models of politics and various topics in political behaviour.

His work has appeared in journals including Public Choice, Political Psychology, Party Politics, West European Politics, and the British Journal of Political Science.

 @SusumuShikano

Basic algebra (secondary school level)

Day Topic Details
Monday Logic
  • Basic concepts (connectives, predicates, quantifiers)
  • Inference
Tuesday Algebra
  • Variables
  • Functions and Equations
Wednesday Matrix algebra
  • Calculation with matrices
  • Inverses of matrices
  • A system of equations in matrix form
  • Determinants
Thursday Calculus
  • Differential calculus
  • Partial derivatives
  • Integration
Friday Probability
  • Probability axioms
  • Probability functions
  • Random variables
  • Joint and marginal distributions
Day Readings
Monday

Patrick Suppes (1957) Introduction to Logic. Dover. Chapters 1-4.

Tuesday

Jeff Gill (2006) Essential Mathematics for Political and Social Research. Campbridge University Press. Chapter 1.

Wednesday

Jeff Gill (2006) Essential Mathematics for Political and Social Research. Campbridge University Press. Chapter 3-4.

Thursday

Jeff Gill (2006) Essential Mathematics for Political and Social Research. Campbridge University Press. Chapter 5-6.

Friday

Jeff Gill (2006) Essential Mathematics for Political and Social Research. Campbridge University Press. Chapter 7-8.

Software Requirements

None

Hardware Requirements

None

Literature

Austen-Smith, D.; Banks, J. S. (1999). Positive Political Theory I: Collective Preference. University of Michigan Press.

Austen-Smith, D.; Banks, J. S. (2005). Positive Political Theory II: Strategy and Structure. University of Michigan Press.

Gary King (1989) Unifying Political Methodology. The Likelihood Theory of Statistical Inference. University of Michigan Press.