210206 UE d2: Quantitative Methods and Party Research (2008W)

Growing research has been interested in the membership of the European Parliament (EP). As a result, each elected EP has been surveyed. Data observed at the level of the person or groups of persons (such as party groups in the EP or countries) enable political scientists to test theory-driven hypotheses about party politicians across countries and over time. Surveys and statistical analyses are therefore particularly useful tools for the exploring continuity/change in the orientations and behaviour of the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) over time; moreover, they facilitate researchers to conduct meaningful comparisons across parties and party groups.
In this context, we will introduce students to the EPRG MEP (Members of the EP) Survey which inquires about: Campaigns and Election (What were MEPs¿ experiences of the process by which they won election?), Major Policy Issues (What are MEPs¿ attitudes towards major socio-economic policy issues facing the European Union?), Norms of Behaviour (How do MEPs view the major factor shaping their voting and committee behaviour within the parliament?) and Representative Attitudes (How do MEPs view the role of the European Parliament as a representative institution, and how do they understand and carry out their own role as individual representatives?). We will investigate MEPs attitudes on these issues using quantitative concepts and measurements, covering: descriptive statistics, basic probability theory, inferences concerning means, correlation, and an introduction to regression analysis.