040088 UE Empirical Methods I (MA) (2022W)

This course is an introductory class on empirical methods and data analysis which precedes the follow-up class “Empirical Methods II”. The goal of this introductory course is for students to learn the fundamental techniques and obtain the basic skills required in empirical research. Our theoretical sessions will cover tools and stages required for running empirical projects (e.g. research design, measurement types, methods of data collection, basic descriptive statistics) with a special focus on the pre-evaluation stage of an empirical work. Our applied sessions will introduce the students to basic STATA skills, allowing them to prepare their data for analysis using statistical programming software. Students will participate by reading and presenting scientific articles in some of the highest ranked strategy journals. Knowledge gained in this course is also applied during a project where students actively develop the necessary steps for conducting their own empirical research projects. In this spirit, students are required to obtain real-world data for their basic descriptives in Empirical Methods I and the subsequent proposition testing in Empirical Methods II.
This course is highly interactive and built around the idea of a laboratory setup as is typical for social sciences. The setup necessitates certain software and IT equipment. To provide every student the same opportunity to successfully participate in the course, it is held in one of the PC-labs at the OMP 1. Given the always-changing Covid-19 situation, but also our goal to maintain a high quality and interactive class, the class should be held in-person with two selected (non-theory) sessions held via Zoom. The exact format of individual sessions will be announced during Session 1! For both online meetings, students are required to ensure stable Internet connection and be able to join using their web cameras as well! Hence, not only an audio connection, also a video connection is required! The majority of all sessions, as well as the exam will be held in person.