Mike He

Mostly Stats parts. Especially, this is the course for the one wants to learn advanced linear regression. So, pushing one step further from OLS, this course handles various types of advanced linear regressions. This course has some group projects, but I would regard this as a way of making friends in stats, not a heavy burden.

I learned a lot of the basic background theories behind quantitative analysis as well as their historical significance.

Each class has a short lecture (recorded but attendance sheets to be signed are passed around each day) and a lab. Usually, the lab instructions are written pretty clearly like step by step, and it's not turned in for a grade after each class. However, it can still be important to do these labs because there are take home quizzes every two weeks on the topics that are done in the labs and half of the questions on the quiz are directly from the lab. Most of the labs were able to be finished in class time, but there were two labs that took really long towards the end of the semester. Quizzes can take a while but there's not much homework throughout the week, so I think it balances out overall. Aside from quizzes every two weeks, there is also a lab report (draft and final) and a final presentation. These assignments have pretty clear rubrics so you should be able to get a good grade as long as you actually do all the things listed on there.

Linear regression, the Gauss-Markov Assumption and Asymptotics, logit and probit, First Differences Analysis, etc.

We learnt about causal inference and methodology in the social sciences.

If you're going to be taking EDA, I would suggest taking it with Mike instead of Elizabeth. Both are good professors, but I think Mike's energy is a lot more engaging, and he can be more flexible at times. Mike is very chipper and energetic, so it makes paying attention in class a lot easier. I was intimated going into the class because I had zero experience with R and QGIS and then only some experience with Excel from previous lab classes. However, this class did truly teach me a lot of base level skills in these three topics. I will say that Mike is sometimes really busy during his office hours, so it's really helpful if you get a good TA that will be willing to help you.

Great foundational course with stellar instructor

We learned the theoretical background (and a lot of history) of data analysis and various methods.

-how to create various models, from simple to more complex -how to critically analyze my results

I learned the fundamental theories underlying social science research, including a comprehensive exploration of hypothesis formulation and testing and the reasoning behind the decisions that go into sound social science research.