Maiko Yomogida

I learned quantitative methods, and the theoretical concepts behind these methods.

N.A 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Fall 2021 Course: QMSSGR5999_001_2021_3-MASTER'STHESIS : QMSSGR5999_001_2021_3 - MASTER'S THESIS Instructor: Elena Krumova

So much! All the various techniques to conduct quasi-experiments, statistical methods, how to minimize selection bias, the pitfalls and threats to validity of the most common statistical methods.

I was very disappointed in this class. I was really eager and excited about this course since it is supposed to be a major highlight of the program. However, I was terribly disappointed. I—and many others in the class who I asked that said they shared the same experience—received no feedback on nearly all our thesis drafts. The thesis is supposed to be an interactive process—you submit a subsection, receive feedback on it, and then incorporate and build on that feedback in the next, longer draft. In this course, however, I received none. I essentially wrote my thesis without any feedback or advice, not because I didn’t want any, but because none was given. The professor highlighted in-person group discussions as a source of feedback, but summarizing the thesis in 5 minutes is very different from a fully written 50-page draft. Receiving no feedback on any of these drafts was very frustrating and disappointing, especially considering the large amount of time it takes to produce the thesis. For these reasons, I would not recommend this course or program . Instead, I would advise taking courses and enrolling in a program where you know the instructor will take the time to give you feedback. The syllabus stated feedback would be given on these drafts, but none was. 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Spring 2021 Course: QMSSGR5999_001_2021_1-MASTER'STHESIS : QMSSGR5999_001_2021_…

Learned and improved academic writing and research methodologies

A lot of theories and how to use it in real-life/research

The course is broadly split in to two categories: first it's a large scale overview of breaking down the different parts of a quantitative analysis in a social context, and second it's a practicum in building and proposing a quantitative social science research project in your own right. The course starts with an overview of how social scientists engage in the scientific method, then takes a deeper dive into more specific topics like conceptual constructs, sampling criteria, data set acquisition, causal reasoning, and statistical methods for social science research. Assignments are split between homeworks reviewing specific scientific papers and theory relevant to the weekly topic and assignments where you are expected to use that information to build parts of a research proposal yourself.

For those in QMSS, it helps with writing your proposal and understanding basic concepts to your field that will prove useful.

Because I really learned a lot of the methodologies in this courses and these are useful in my later studying. Definitely recommend.

Would not recommend simply because it is a required course. 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Fall 2024 Course: QMSSGR5010_001_2024_3-QUANTTHRY/METHODOLOGY-SOCSCI : QMSSGR5010_001_2024_3 - QUANT THRY/METHODOLOGY-SOC SCI Instructor: Maiko Yomogida