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Video Resources for Political Analysis
Matthew Loveless’ short video guide to political analysis. These bite-sized, intuitive guides are perfect for students looking to get started on learning data and statistics. He uses golf to explain non-liner models, compares measuring distances in space and finding reference categories for dummy variables and more. As he says, statistics is like catching a bobcat by the tail—you better know what you’re doing!
The videos showcase the chapters themes from his book, ‘Political Analysis: A Guide to Data and Statistics’.
Watch the videos:
Professor Matthew Loveless links the scientific method and statistics
Chapter 1: The Scientific Method And Statistics
Professor Matthew Loveless breaks down theories and hypotheses
Chapter 2: Theory And Hypotheses
Professor Matthew Loveless explains conceptualization and operationalization
Chapter 3: Data And Variables
Professor Matthew Loveless talks research design
Chapter 4: Research Design
Professor Matthew Loveless on why politics and statistics are worth knowing about
Chapter 5: Statistics And The Scientific Study Of Politics
Professor Matthew Loveless breaks down univariate descriptive statistics
Chapter 6: Univariate Descriptive Statistics
Professor Matthew Loveless explains the logic behind measures of association
Chapter 7: Measures Of Association I: Nominal- And Ordinal-Level Variables
Professor Matthew Loveless on why theory is the ‘how’ and correlation is the ‘if’
Chapter 8: Measures Of Association II: Means Comparison And Correlation
Professor Matthew Loveless on why we separate descriptive and inferential statistics
Chapter 9: Measures Of Association III: (Bivariate) Regression
Professor Matthew Loveless tells us why being uncertain, is being correct
Chapter 10: An Introduction To Inference
Professor Matthew Loveless breaks down inference and chi-squared
Chapter 11: Inference For Nominal- & Ordinal-level Variables
Professor Matthew Loveless links chaos, order, and the central limit theorem
Chapter 12: The Central Limit Theorem
Professor Matthew Loveless explains population parameters
Chapter 13: Inference For Interval-Level Variables
Professor Matthew Loveless explains multiple regression through political participation
Chapter 14: Multiple Regression
Professor Matthew Loveless uses the solar system to explain reference categories for dummy variables
Chapter 15: Extensions To Multiple Regression
Professor Matthew Loveless talks about models and the assumptions of linear regressions
Chapter 16: Binary Logistic Regression
Professor Matthew Loveless talks about why non-linear models are like playing golf
Chapter 17: Categorical And Limited Dependent Variables
Professor Matthew Loveless discusses the big alternatives in political analysis
Chapter 18: Big Alternatives
Professor Matthew Loveless on your responsibilities as a researcher
Chapter 19: The Ethics Of Data Analysis
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More about Political Analysis
Why let other people explain the world to you?
From news reporting on elections or unfolding political crises to everyday advertising, you are confronted with statistics. Rather than being swayed by bad arguments and questionable correlations, this book introduces you to the most common and contemporary statistical methods so that you can better understand the world. It's not about mindless number crunching or flashy techniques but about knowing when to use statistics as the best means to analyse a problem.
Whether you want to answer: “Who is most likely to turn out and vote at the next election?” or “What accounts for some political conflicts escalating to war?” you’ll explore what can and can’t be done with statistics, and how to select the most appropriate statistical techniques and correctly interpret the results.
Perhaps you simply want to understand enough to pass your statistics class and move on. Maybe you want to build your knowledge so that you are not excluded from research and debate. Or it could be the first step towards more advanced study. Whatever your goal, this book guides you through the journey, empowering you to confidently interact with statistics to make you a more formidable student, employee, and democratic citizen.