Essential Mathematics for Political and Social Research

Essential Mathematics for Political and Social Research PDF

Author: Jeff Gill

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2006-04-24

Total Pages: 449

ISBN-13: 0521834260

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

"More than ever before, modern social scientists require a basic level of mathematical literacy, yet many students receive only limited mathematical training prior to beginning their research careers. This textbook addresses this dilemma by offering a comprehensive, unified introduction to the essential mathematics of social science. Throughout the book the presentation builds from first principles and eschews unnecessary complexity. Most importantly, the discussion is thoroughly and consistently anchored in real social science applications, with more than 80 research-based illustrations woven into the text and featured in end-of-chapter exercises. Students and researchers alike will find this first-of-its-kind volume to be an invaluable resource."--BOOK JACKET.

A Mathematics Course for Political and Social Research

A Mathematics Course for Political and Social Research PDF

Author: Will H. Moore

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Published: 2013-08-11

Total Pages: 450

ISBN-13: 0691159173

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Political science and sociology increasingly rely on mathematical modeling and sophisticated data analysis, and many graduate programs in these fields now require students to take a "math camp" or a semester-long or yearlong course to acquire the necessary skills. Available textbooks are written for mathematics or economics majors, and fail to convey to students of political science and sociology the reasons for learning often-abstract mathematical concepts. A Mathematics Course for Political and Social Research fills this gap, providing both a primer for math novices in the social sciences and a handy reference for seasoned researchers. The book begins with the fundamental building blocks of mathematics and basic algebra, then goes on to cover essential subjects such as calculus in one and more than one variable, including optimization, constrained optimization, and implicit functions; linear algebra, including Markov chains and eigenvectors; and probability. It describes the intermediate steps most other textbooks leave out, features numerous exercises throughout, and grounds all concepts by illustrating their use and importance in political science and sociology. Uniquely designed and ideal for students and researchers in political science and sociology Uses practical examples from political science and sociology Features "Why Do I Care?" sections that explain why concepts are useful Includes numerous exercises Complete online solutions manual (available only to professors, email david.siegel at duke.edu, subject line "Solution Set") Selected solutions available online to students

Bayesian Methods

Bayesian Methods PDF

Author: Jeff Gill

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2007-11-26

Total Pages: 696

ISBN-13: 1584885629

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

The first edition of Bayesian Methods: A Social and Behavioral Sciences Approach helped pave the way for Bayesian approaches to become more prominent in social science methodology. While the focus remains on practical modeling and basic theory as well as on intuitive explanations and derivations without skipping steps, this second edition incorporates the latest methodology and recent changes in software offerings. New to the Second Edition Two chapters on Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) that cover ergodicity, convergence, mixing, simulated annealing, reversible jump MCMC, and coupling Expanded coverage of Bayesian linear and hierarchical models More technical and philosophical details on prior distributions A dedicated R package (BaM) with data and code for the examples as well as a set of functions for practical purposes such as calculating highest posterior density (HPD) intervals Requiring only a basic working knowledge of linear algebra and calculus, this text is one of the few to offer a graduate-level introduction to Bayesian statistics for social scientists. It first introduces Bayesian statistics and inference, before moving on to assess model quality and fit. Subsequent chapters examine hierarchical models within a Bayesian context and explore MCMC techniques and other numerical methods. Concentrating on practical computing issues, the author includes specific details for Bayesian model building and testing and uses the R and BUGS software for examples and exercises.

The Disorder of Mathematics Education

The Disorder of Mathematics Education PDF

Author: Hauke Straehler-Pohl

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2016-08-23

Total Pages: 329

ISBN-13: 3319340069

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Research within a socio-political paradigm or “turn” has been gradually recognized and institutionalized as an important part of mathematics education. This book focuses on the neglected problems, tensions and contradictions evoked by this process. The authors do this by challenging current regimes of truth about mathematics education; by identifying how recent technological developments challenge or suspend contemporary conceptions of mathematics education; by critiquing the ideological entanglement of mathematics, its education and schooling with capitalism; by self-reflective analyses of researchers' impacts on shaping what is and can be perceived as the practice of mathematics education (research); and by confronting main-stream mathematics education with socio-political contexts that are usually neglected. In this way, "mathematical rationality" becomes contextualized within contemporary society, where it reproduces itself through technologies, social practices, media and other spheres of social life.

Mathematics for Social Scientists

Mathematics for Social Scientists PDF

Author: Jonathan Kropko

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Published: 2015-09-09

Total Pages: 342

ISBN-13: 1506304230

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Written for social science students who will be working with or conducting research, Mathematics for Social Scientists offers a non-intimidating approach to learning or reviewing math skills essential in quantitative research methods. The text is designed to build students’ confidence by presenting material in a conversational tone and using a wealth of clear and applied examples. Author Jonathan Kropko argues that mastering these concepts will break students’ reliance on using basic models in statistical software, allowing them to engage with research data beyond simple software calculations.

Teaching Research Methods in Public Administration

Teaching Research Methods in Public Administration PDF

Author: Schwester, Richard W.

Publisher: IGI Global

Published: 2015-02-28

Total Pages: 325

ISBN-13: 1466681179

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

While there are many ways to collect information, many students have trouble understanding how to employ various research methods effectively. Since everyone learns and processes information differently, instructing students on successfully using these methods continues to be a challenge. Teaching Research Methods in Public Administration combines empirical research and best practices on various research methods being employed by administrators. Emphasizing theoretical concepts, this publication is an essential reference source for academics, public administration practitioners, and students interested in how information is gathered, processed, and utilized.

Computational Social Science

Computational Social Science PDF

Author: R. Michael Alvarez

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2016-03-10

Total Pages: 339

ISBN-13: 1107107881

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

This book provides an overview of cutting-edge approaches to computational social science.

Spatial Analysis for the Social Sciences

Spatial Analysis for the Social Sciences PDF

Author: David Darmofal

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2015-11-12

Total Pages: 263

ISBN-13: 0521888263

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

This book shows how to model the spatial interactions between actors that are at the heart of the social sciences.

Statistical Modeling and Inference for Social Science

Statistical Modeling and Inference for Social Science PDF

Author: Sean Gailmard

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2014-06-09

Total Pages: 393

ISBN-13: 1107003148

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Written specifically for graduate students and practitioners beginning social science research, Statistical Modeling and Inference for Social Science covers the essential statistical tools, models and theories that make up the social scientist's toolkit. Assuming no prior knowledge of statistics, this textbook introduces students to probability theory, statistical inference and statistical modeling, and emphasizes the connection between statistical procedures and social science theory. Sean Gailmard develops core statistical theory as a set of tools to model and assess relationships between variables - the primary aim of social scientists - and demonstrates the ways in which social scientists express and test substantive theoretical arguments in various models. Chapter exercises guide students in applying concepts to data, extending their grasp of core theoretical concepts. Students will also gain the ability to create, read and critique statistical applications in their fields of interest.