Applied Statistics for Peace and Conflict Studies

Knowledge

Students will

• obtain a good grasp of various statistical concepts and measures;
• be well acquainted with various estimators and the criteria for using them;
• be well acquainted with key data structures in peace and conflict research, and the best practices in analyzing them;
• be able to communicate statistical material visually in tables and figures.

Skills

Students will

• critically read and evaluate existing statistical studies on peace and conflict topics;
• handle data sets using R, including coding new variables and transforming existing variables in the data set;
• apply the various statistical models mentioned above to data sets, and learn how to properly test hypotheses, interpret results, and draw careful conclusions;
• replicate statistical studies in peace and conflict research, and conduct independent statistical studies on peace and conflict topics;
• be able to communicate academic knowledge in writing and orally.

General competences

Students will

• enhance their capabilities in carrying out thorough, independent, and critical analysis of complex questions;
• enhance their ability to critically evaluate empirical research;
• enhance their understanding of various elements of the scientific process, including aspects of the relationship between theory and empirical evidence, and between concepts and measures.

• Basic concepts in descriptive statistics related to:
  • Measures of central tendency (e.g. mean and median), dispersion (e.g. standard deviation, range),
  • Measures of association and correlation (e.g. percentage difference and Pearson`s r correlation coefficient).
• Furthermore, basic knowledge of inferential statistics and of OLS regression (bivariate and multivariate) is required.

We also recommend that PECOS4025 or PECOS4021 is completed before students attend PECOS4022.

Basic concepts in descriptive statistics related to:

• measures of central tendency (e.g. mean and median),
• dispersion (e.g. standard deviation, range),
• and measures of association and correlation (e.g. percentage difference and Pearson`s r correlation coefficient).

Furthermore, basic knowledge of inferential statistics and of OLS regression (bivariate and multivariate) is required.

The course is reserved for students enrolled in the master programme Peace and conflict studies. This course is not available for single course students.

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Lectures and seminars

Compulsory activity

• attend three out of five seminars;
• hand in individual seminar paper (3500-5000 words).

In the event of illness or other valid reasons, you can apply for a valid absence or postponement of compulsory activity.

Apply for valid absence from or need for postponement of compulsory activity

4-hour open-book written examination

Previous exams with grading guidelines

• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Resitting an examination