Political Science 5 Lecture

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Political Science 5Lecture 26 4/27/2004

• Today review of interpreting regression
  results, and single case study (Vogel article).
  Homework 5 is due. Prospectuses returned.
• Thursday Homework 4 returned. Also, rational
  choice as an approach to political science. Read
  Geddes article.
• Next week Tuesday content analysis--read Segal
  and Cover article.
• Next week Thursday LAST DAY OF CLASS. There
  will be no class on 5/11, as scheduled in the
  syllabus. But you should hand in your final
  projects to my box.
• Review next Thursday, and also special session
  on Monday, 5/17 from 7-9pm, location TBA.
• Final exam is on Tuesday, May 18th, 5-7pm, in our
  classroom. Final study guide will be posted soon.

2
Interpreting multiple regression results

• Multiple (or multivariate) regression is a
  mathematical technique that allows a researcher
  to see how many independent variables affect a
  single dependent variable, and to view their
  effects one at a time.
• A computer program like MicroCase can be used to
  run a multivariate regression, which explains
  variation in the dependent variable.
• The coefficients in a multivariate regression
  show the effect of each independent variable,
  holding constant all other independent variables
  in the regression. We also know which IVS are
  statistically significant.
• Multivariate regression is an important technique
  because it allows us to isolate causal factors in
  a quantitative, observational study.

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Interpreting multiple regression results
Regression of Freedom House Scores on
Hypothesized Determinants
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The Single Case Study

• Also called deviant case study
• Single case studies are called for where the case
  represents an extreme or unique case
• Can also be exploratory, but more often a single
  case is used to challenge existing theories, or
  challenge conventional wisdom

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The Single Case Study