Class 1 Notes Questions

Question 1

Four Characteristics of Scientific Research

Answer 1

1. Goal is inference
   * using facts we know to learn about facts we don’t
2. The procedures are public
   * otherwise, we cannot assess the quality of the data or research underpinning the inference
3. Content is the method
   * part of the content of a study is the method(s) that it uses since some methods are appropriate to investigate some things but inappropriate for others
4. Conclusions are uncertain
   * there is no “proving” in social science

Question 2

What is a Cross-Sectional dataset?

Answer 2

Cross-sectional: examine 2+ different units at the same point in time.
For example, the population of Colombia
and USA both in 2019.
Country Year Population
Colombia 2019 50.2 mil
USA 2019 328.3 mil

Question 3

What is a Time-Series data set?

Answer 3

Time-series: examine the same unit at different points in time. For example, the population data for the USA in 2019 and 2020.
Country Year Population
USA 2019 328.3 mil
USA 2020 329.5 mil

Question 4

What is a Panel data set?

Answer 4

Panel (time-series cross-sectional data): examine multiple units at different points in time. For example, the population data for Colombia and the USA in 2019 and 2020.
Country Year Population
Colombia 2019 50.2 mil
Colombia 2020 50.9 mil
USA 2019 328.3 mil
USA 2020 329.5 mil

Question 5

Long versus wide data

Answer 5

long form: always have their own extra column for the time period
Country Year Population
Colombia 2019 50.2 mil
Colombia 2020 50.9 mil
USA 2019 328.3 mil
USA 2020 329.5 mil

wide form: don’t have their own column for the time period
Country Pop_2019 Pop_2020
Columbia 50.2 mil 50.9 mil
USA 328.3 mil 329.5 mil

Question 6

Variable Types (4)

Answer 6

Binary [0,1] like Heads or Tails
Continuous [-∞,∞] like income
Bounded [0,100] like percentage
Categorical:
ordered [code/know variable] like Gold > Silver > Bronze
nominal [not universal] like green, blue, red

Question 7

case definition

Answer 7

unique unit of analysis referring to qualitative research but also describing groups of quantitative observation

Question 8

sample definition

Answer 8

observations in a study (sample size: “N”)

Question 9

population definition

Answer 9

universe phenomena hypothesis aims to describe (theoretical and unobserved)
*sampling data to present population

Question 10

level/unit of analysis

Answer 10

country, country-year, municipality, etc.