Analysis and Interpretation of Social Data (303-0-20)
Instructors
Oscar Maria Stuhler
Meeting Info
555 Clark B03: Mon, Wed 11:00AM - 12:20PM
Overview of class
This course provides an introduction to statistics for Sociology majors and other students
interested in using statistical software to analyze quantitative social science data. The course will
often focus on survey data, but the techniques covered apply broadly to empirical data. By the
end of the course, students will be able to read and interpret research and perform analyses using
empirical data. These skills are applicable beyond the conduct of sociological research and will
enable students to critically evaluate information not only from the academic realm but from
news articles and the world around them. The critical, analytical, and numerical skills developed
in this course are valuable ones to have regardless of major or post-graduation plans.
Nearly all analysis in the course will be done using the free statistical software package R. Throughout the course, we will introduce you to the software package, helping you build proficiency.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
• Identify the population of interest, parameter, sample, and statistics from a study.
• Explain and calculate summary statistics for any given set of data.
• Conduct and interpret results from an appropriate hypothesis test for a given research question.
• Explain and identify correlation of two variables when presented with a scatterplot of data.
• Explain the main assumptions of multiple regression.
• Interpret and explain multiple regression results, including coefficients, R2, overall fit, and line of best fit.
• Conduct preliminary analysis in Stata including loading data, summarizing variables, graphing/plotting variables, and multiple regression.
Teaching Method
Class + Lab
Evaluation Method
Weekly assignments and final project
Class Materials (Required)
All materials for this course will be made available on Canvas - no purchase necessary.
Class Attributes
Empirical and Deductive Reasoning Foundational Dis
Formal Studies Distro Area
Associated Classes
LAB - 555 Clark B01: Fri 2:00PM - 2:50PM