Accessibility statement

Politics Dissertation - Applied Quantitative Analysis - POL00079H

« Back to module search

  • Department: Politics and International Relations
  • Credit value: 40 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

Through the module, students will be supported to design, deliver, and interpret applied quantitative analysis within the field of Politics and International Relations. Students will attend Politics Dissertation Workshops, and the schedule of Dissertation Advisor meetings will parallel that within the Politics Dissertation module. Students on the Politics Dissertation (Applied Quantitative Analysis) will have opportunities to meet as a cohort to present and receive feedback from their peers and academic staff.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25 to Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

The module is a core component of the ‘Applied Quantitative Analysis’ specialism that is being introduced to the BAs Politics, Politics with International Relations, and International Relations programmes. The module will run for the first time in 2024/25, alongside the new Stage Three Applied Quantitative Analysis module.

Markers of Politics Dissertation (Applied Quantitative Analysis) will be specifically required to confirm that the work demonstrates the achievement of the AQA Specialism PLO 7 (‘Design, deliver, and interpret applied quantitative analysis that is appropriate to the subject under investigation and which advances substantive understanding of the dissertation topic through causal inference and/or prediction’). Where this criteria is not met, the student will transfer back to the non-specialist programme pathway.

Module learning outcomes

On completing this module a student will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of research in a field of study and to reflect on the contribution made from the applied quantitative analysis to this scholarship (PLO1)

  2. Use quantitative methods to investigate a specialist area of study and to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different model and design specifications (PLO 2).

  3. Independently select and apply quantitative research tools to design and develop a research project which includes a quantitative methodology and to justify conclusions (PLO 3).

  4. Be able to independently design a piece of original research, which includes the use of appropriate quantitative methodology to advance substantive understanding of the dissertation topic through causal inference and/or prediction (PLO3).

  5. Address a theoretical or practical problem in political science and/or international relations through analysis of empirical data (PLO4).

  6. Construct and develop an original argument in the form of a thesis which utilises a diverse range of sources (PLO5).

  7. Reflect on different interpretations of quantitative findings in relation to the topic (PLO6).

  8. Assess the implications of the findings for dealing with local, national or global challenges related to the area under study (PLO7).

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

Students will receive written timely feedback on their formative assessment. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s feedback and guidance hours.

Students will receive written feedback on their summative assessment no later than 25 working days; and the module tutor will hold a specific session to discuss feedback, which students can also opt to attend. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s regular feedback and guidance hours.

Indicative reading

Smith, K. et al. (2009) Doing your Undergraduate Social Science Dissertation. London: Routledge.

Baglione, Lisa. 2020. Writing a research paper in political science : a practical guide to inquiry, structure, and methods. Washington: CQ Press.

Kellstedt, Paul M, Whitten, Guy D. 2018. The Fundamentals of Political Science Research. Cambridge: CUP.

Imai, Kosuke. 2017. Quantitative Social Science. Princeton: PUP.

Wooldridge, Jeffrey M. 2006. Introductory Econometrics: A Modern Approach. Maston, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.