Risultati della ricerca

This laboratory is designed to give you hands-on experience with comparative data analysis. After a brief introduction to the theoretical framework that guides sociological research on social inequalities from a comparative perspective, we will explore publicly available data from national institutes, international organizations, and ad hoc collections.

The goal is to provide practical guidance on how to download, harmonize, and interpret comparative data from different sources. Depending on the prior knowledge of the participants, we will cover both basic statistical techniques (descriptive statistics and inferential methods) and more advanced approaches (2-step regressions &amp;mixed models). While I will provide instruction in Stata, students with experience in other software are welcome to use their preferred tools.

This lab is also suitable for students working on their master’s thesis with a quantitative focus and those interested in a comparative perspective on social inequalities.

You can follow this link to the course website: https://www.unimi.it/en/education/degree-programme-courses/2025/lab-data-analysis-study-social-inequalities-comparative-perspective

And about the course schedule here:

https://www.unimi.it/it/corsi/insegnamenti-dei-corsi-di-laurea/2025/lab-data-analysis-study-social-inequalities-comparative-perspective

Learning Objectives

This lab focuses on analyzing social inequalities from a comparative perspective. Students participating in the lab will:

- Learn to interpret aggregate data within a comparative framework.

- Become familiar with key measures used to describe data as well as measures of inequality.

- Interpret aggregate (and possibly individual) data to extract meaningful insights and answer research questions about inequality from a comparative perspective.

- Actively engage with data and analysis on a weekly basis.

- Work on a final group research paper based on data and methods discussed in class.

Expected Learning Outcomes

By the end of the lab, students will be able to:

- Understand key debates about inequality in a comparative perspective.

- Develop and investigate research questions that take a comparative approach.

- Understand the relationship between aggregate and individual level data.

- Reflect on the role of context in the analysis of social inequalities.

- Conduct basic comparative analyses, recognizing the strengths and limitations of different methodological tools.

Docente titolare: Guido Salza

Categoria: B76 Global Politics and Society (GPS)

Lab: Experiments in Economics: Introduction to Conducting Applied Research using Tools of Experimental Economics (a.a. 2024/25)

Docente titolare: Agne Kajackaite

Categoria: B26 International Politics, Law and Economics (IPLE)

Lab: Quantitative Methods for Empirical Research (a.a. 2024/25)

How can we analyze social phenomena through quantitative data and analyses? What kind of scientific claims can we make based on such inferences, and what are the limits of quantitative empirical research? The objective of this lab is to provide students - even those without any quantitative training - with a hands-on introduction to empirical research using quantitative methods. We will start with the underlying ideas and assumptions of scientific inference, move towards a critical understanding of published research and end with students' own data analysis based on their research interests. This means that students are introduced to both a theoretical and conceptual understanding of quantitative social science research, and the independent ability to perform basic statistical analysis themselves, for instance for the master thesis.

Expected learning outcomes

By the end of the lab students will be able to:
- master the logic of scientific inference using quantative methods;
- understand the basics of statistical research as commonly applied in the social sciences;
- critically engage with published quantitative social science research;
- master basic proficiency in using statistical software Stata;
- perform basic statistical analysis with existing data (for instance, European Social Survey), based on a self-developed research question and hypotheses.

Prerequisites for admission

No specific preliminary knowledge is required. Students are required to register for the course by 31 March through the following form: https://forms.gle/1SZoEY2HQ5o6xKEs9 ;

Information provided in this form will also be used to adapt the pace of the course, and, if necessary, learning outcomes.

Docente titolare: Mathilde Maria Van Ditmars

Categoria: B77 Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs (PPPA)

Lab. Media and Politics (a.a. 2024/25)

Introduction and Learning objectives

The purpose of this seminar is to understand the interactions between media and the democratic political sphere in the 21^st century. How have the changes in the media landscape affected political divisions and political communication? Can the media influence how voters make up their mind in elections? What responsibility do journalists have in modern democracies? Through applied learning we engage and familiarize with these important topics regarding how media can shape politics, and vice versa, in light of current societal challenges. In 10 interactive and applied sessions we engage with these topics through group exercises, class debates, media analysis, and simulations.

Expected learning outcomes

By the end of the lab students will be able to:

- understand the main themes, concepts, and theories in media and political communication studies;

- apply the main concepts and theories across time, space, and specific cases, and subject them to critical thinking;

- effectively communicate their ideas, participating in class debates and exercises.

Prerequisites for admission

No specific preliminary knowledge is required. This is an entry-level class also regarding English language. While the class is taught in English, no particular level is required.