Post on 24-Jun-2018
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IR 211: Approaches to ResearchBenjamin Graham
SOS B9
IR 211: Introduction Benjamin Graham
http://dornsife.usc.edu/graham
Nuts and Bolts
• Syllabus and Course Information: • Syllabus will change during the quarter. Check online for updates.• Homework assignments and lecture slides will also be posted here.
• Lecture slides are not a substitute for good notes!
• My Office Hours: Fridays 10-Noon, VKC 305 • Joey Huddleston’s Office Hours: Wednesdays 10-Noon, VKC B42G
• Sections begin next week
IR 211: Introduction Benjamin Graham
Required Materials
• No Textbook.• Responsecard clicker from Turning Technologies
• Available at the bookstore
IR 211: Introduction Benjamin Graham
How the Clickers Work
• Multiple choice questions in lecture• Click in your answer• Results go up right away
• Your clicker has a unique ID number• You get participation points just for answering.
IR 213: Introduction Benjamin Graham
How to Register Your Clicker
• It should be possible through blackboard• Alternatively, you can also use this registration tool:
http://student.turningtechnologies.com/
IR 213: Introduction Benjamin Graham
Testing the Clickers
• I am a:A. FreshmanB. SophomoreC. JuniorD. Senior or Super-Senior
IR 213: Introduction Benjamin Graham
Testing the Clickers
• My major is (probably):A. International RelationsB. Other Social Science (i.e. poli sci, business, econ, sociology,
anthropology...)C. Arts/HumanitiesD. Natural SciencesE. Other
IR 213: Introduction Benjamin Graham
Testing the Clickers
• I have had the following research methods training (choose the most advanced that applies):A. Hypothe-what?B. A little bit in high school (not AP)C. AP stats in high schoolD. 1 university research methods class (stats or other)E. More than 1 university research methods class
IR 213: Introduction Benjamin Graham
Your Grade
• 5 Homework Assignments ................... 35%• Midterm ................................................ 20%• Final ..................................................... 25%• Participation ........................................ 10% • Reading Quizzes ................................. 10%
IR 211: Introduction Benjamin Graham
A preview of the course
• The big picture of social science research• Conceptualization, Measurement and Sampling• Causation and Research Design• A range of methodologies:
• Experiments, Surveys, Qualitative Methods, Historical and Comparative Methods and Quantitative Methods
IR 211: Introduction Benjamin Graham
Quantitative Methods
• Yes, that means math• No, it won’t kill you
• We will use Excel• You can do these assignments in R for extra credit
IR 211: Introduction Benjamin Graham
Homework
• Five assignments, worth 35% of your grade (7% each)• Due at the beginning of class. May be submitted ONLY in class.
• Late by 1 class period = 50% deduction. Later than that not accepted.• All homework must be typewritten.
• You may discuss answers with your classmates, but submitted work must be your own.
• If you discuss your homework with other students, you must list their names on your homework.
• DO NOT submit answers identical to other students. That will be considered cheating.
IR 211: Introduction Benjamin Graham
Welcome to Social Research
• Social science involves bringing science to the land of amateurs. • Why are people homeless? vs Why does ice float?
• Sociology, political science, economics, social psychology, business...
• Social research skills are good for at least two things:• Making $$$• Saving the World
IR 211: Introduction Benjamin Graham
I keep saying that the sexy job in the next 10 years will be statisticians.
-- Hal Varian
Chief Economist at Google
IR 211: Introduction Benjamin Graham
Poverty Today Poverty Tomorrow
Bad Health
No Access to Doctors Poor Nutrition
IR 211: Introduction Benjamin Graham
Poverty Today
Poverty Tomorrow
Bad Health
No Access to Doctors Poor Nutrition
Poor School Attendance
IR 211: Introduction Benjamin Graham
Low Skills
Progresa: The Program
• Problem: An intergenerational cycle of poverty• Education, health, nutrition
• Progresa: Conditional cash transfer program, began in 1997 • Send your kids to school, get them to the health clinic for regular health
checkups, and you get $$ and food.• $50-65 per month (USD) -- up to $160 per family• Money is given to the mother
IR 211: Introduction Benjamin Graham
Poverty Today Poverty Tomorrow
No Access to Doctors
Poor School Attendance
Bad Health
Poor Nutrition
IR 211: Introduction Benjamin Graham
Poverty Today Poverty Tomorrow
Poor School Attendance
Bad Health
Poor Nutrition
IR 211: Introduction Benjamin Graham
Progresa: The Evaluation
• Randomized evaluation conducted by the International Food Policy Research Institute
• Randomized at the community level. Control group received the “treatment” 18 months later.
• Children in “treated” communities did better• 20% school enrollment increase for girls, 10% increase for boys• 12% less illness for children under 5• Less malnutrition and stunted growth for children under 3.• Families spent 13% more on food, and ate a healthier diet.
IR 211: Introduction Benjamin Graham
Progresa: Some Questions
• What effect do you think the results of the Progresa evaluation had?• What would have happened if the Progresa evaluation had showed no effect?
• Could there have been any negative effects from doing an evaluation?
• What programs in the US are randomized?
• Is it ethical to randomize social programs?
IR 211: Introduction Benjamin Graham
For Next Class
• Watch the first 15 minutes of a TED talk. See syllabus and my website.
• Also, there is an article about Progresa posted on my website if you are interested.
• All course info will be available on my website:• http://dornsife.usc.edu/graham
IR 211: Introduction Benjamin Graham