ECPR Summer School in Methods and Techniques

Dates: 30 July to 16 August 2008
Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Website: http://www.ecprnet.org 

In 2008, the European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR) will organise its third Summer School in Methods and Techniques in cooperation with the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia

The ECPR Summer School in Methods and Techniques provides high quality up-to-date training in a broad range of specially selected methods across the whole spectrum of approaches employed within the social sciences. It will emphasise those methods which are particularly salient for research questions in political science and neighbouring disciplines, as well as dealing with all stages of a project and catering to the needs of research set at the macro and at the micro level, covering both ‘quantitative’ and ‘qualitative’ designs as well as more ‘positivist’ and ‘interpretative’
perspectives.

Here below is a quick overview of the training offer. After the success of the 2006 and 2007 Summer Schools, we have decided to further expand the training offer.

1. REFRESHER COURSES (three days: 30 July - 01 August)
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These courses offer an intensive introduction/ refresher on more quantitative and formal tools and software environments. They are taught by experienced instructors from the University of Ljubljana. They are particularly recommended for participants who have little formal training and wish to take one of the main courses, but may also be attended on a stand alone basis.
1. Introduction to SPSS
2. Introduction to R
3. Maths refresher (I): Linear algebra & calculus
4. Maths refresher (II): Probability
5. Inferential Statistics

2. RESEARCH DESIGN SEMINARS (one day: 02 August)
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Participants will have the opportunity to attend up to four of the following seminars, each of which is scheduled to last ninety minutes. The purpose of this series of seminars is to offer a ‘package’ of useful reflections, resources and practical tips at the different stages of one's research.
A. Linking theories, methods and data in political science.
B. How to manage one's research planning.
C. How to write a research proposal.
D. How to write a journal article.
E. How to present qualitative data.
F. Visualising quantitative data.

3. MAIN COURSES (two weeks: 04 August - 16 August)
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6.  Mathematical concepts and formal modelling
7.  Configurational comparative methods: QCA and fuzzy sets
8.  Multiple regression analysis
9.  Multivariate analysis and cross-national survey analysis
10.  Network analysis
11.  Case study analysis
12.  Multilevel analysis
13.  Expert interview (interview techniques) & documentary collection and management
14. Mixed methods: methodology and applications
15. Event history and survival analysis
16. Advances in survey methodology: comparative survey design and online survey design
17. Quantitative text analysis
18. Interpretive methods: the making of qualitative data and analysis
19. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling
20. Interactive qualitative data: online and offline ethnography, focus groups and interviewing

In addition, again in 2008, we plan to organise a lively plenary and social programme that will include receptions, interactive debates and lectures. Indeed the Summer School is meant to be a key venue for methodological debates and ‘cross-fertilization’, as well as a pleasant place for informal interaction.

For detailed course descriptions and further  information on tuition fees, accommodation and  the application process, please go  to the summer school pages on the main ECPR website: http://www.ecprnet.org

CONTACT:
 ECPR CENTRAL SERVICES
 Emer Padden -  Summer Schools & Special Events Manager
 t: 0044 1206 874 115
 f: 0044 1206 872 500
 e: ecpr@essex.ac.uk; epadde@essex.ac.uk
 w: www.ecprnet.org

- For questions on specifically academic aspects of the Summer School (choice of courses, course content, etc.), you are welcome to contact the Academic Convenors (Prof. Bernhard Kittel & Benoît Rihoux – main contact for queries : benoit.rihoux@uclouvain.be ), or naturally the instructor(s) of the respective courses;
- Registration to each course is accepted on "first come, first serve"
basis -- it is thus advised to register well in advance.