| Dozent/in |
Agata Andrysiak, MSc |
| Veranstaltungsart |
Masterseminar |
| Code |
FS261657 |
| Semester |
Frühjahrssemester 2026 |
| Durchführender Fachbereich |
Politikwissenschaft |
| Studienstufe |
Bachelor
Master |
| Termin/e |
Mi, 25.02.2026, 12:15 - 14:00 Uhr, Intern, HS8
Fr, 20.03.2026, 09:15 - 17:00 Uhr, HS 2
Sa, 21.03.2026, 09:15 - 15:30 Uhr, 4.B02
Fr, 08.05.2026, 09:15 - 17:00 Uhr, HS 12
Sa, 09.05.2026, 09:15 - 15:30 Uhr, 4.B02 |
| Weitere Daten |
Einführungsveranstaltung findet statt am Mittwoch, 25.02.2026 von 12:00 - 14:00 Uhr im HS 8 |
| Umfang |
2 Semesterwochenstunden |
| Turnus |
Blockveranstaltung |
| Inhalt |
This course introduces students to the theoretical foundations and practical applications of experimental methods in the field of political science. While experiments have their origins in psychology, they have become increasingly influential in the study of political behaviour, including voting, policy attitudes, participation and mobilization, social norms, and discrimination.
Students will learn how and why experimental approaches are used in political research, as well as their advantages and limitations compared to other methodological strategies. Different types of experimental research and ethical considerations will be discussed. The course combines conceptual discussions with hands-on practice. Students will learn to critically evaluate experimental studies, design and implement their own survey experiments using Qualtrics, and analyse experimental data in R. By the end of the course, students will have the skills to design experimental studies that address substantive questions in political science research.
Assessment of the course will include a short research proposal and students' presentations. Students will develop experimental designs to test chosen research questions and hypotheses. Presentations will focus on the designs and their implementation. In research proposals, students will be asked to justify their research question and hypothesis with relevant literature.
|
| Lernziele |
Explain and apply key principles of experimental design in political behaviour research, including causal inference, randomization, and validity.
Compare and critically evaluate different types of experimental methods (lab, field, natural, survey, conjoint, factorial) and their respective advantages and limitations.
Design and implement a survey experiment using Qualtrics, including the formulation of hypotheses, treatment design, and data collection strategy.
Analyse and interpret experimental data using appropriate statistical methods (e.g., mixed-effects models) in R.
Assess ethical considerations and validity concerns in experimental research and justify design choices accordingly.
|
| Voraussetzungen |
This seminar is primarily intended for undergraduate students in their second year of studies or above. |
| Sprache |
Englisch |
| Anmeldung |
***Wichtig*** Um Credits zu erwerben ist die Anmeldung zur Lehrveranstaltung über das UniPortal zwingend erforderlich. Die Anmeldung ist ab zwei Wochen vor bis zwei Wochen nach Beginn des Semesters möglich. An- und Abmeldungen sind nach diesem Zeitraum nicht mehr möglich. Die genauen Anmeldedaten finden Sie hier: http://www.unilu.ch/ksf/semesterdaten |
| Leistungsnachweis |
Active participation (Attendance at the seminar, weekly short written comments, active participation in the sessions), Research Proposal, Presentation |
| Abschlussform / Credits |
Aktive Teilnahme (Essay) / 4 Credits
|
| Hörer-/innen |
Nach Vereinbarung |
| Kontakt |
agata.andrysiak@eui.eu |
| Literatur |
(May still change slightly):
Morton, Rebecca B., and Kenneth C. Williams. 2010. “Experimental Political Science: Principles and Practices.” Cambridge University Press, Ch. 1
Druckman, James N., Donald P. Green, James H. Kuklinski, and Arthur Lupia. 2006. “The Growth and Development of Experimental Research in Political Science.” American Political Science Review 100(4): 627–635.
Dunning, Thad. 2012. “Natural Experiments in the Social Sciences: A Design-Based Approach.” Cambridge University Press, Ch. 1–2.
Gerber, Alan S., and Donald P. Green. 2012. “Field Experiments: Design, Analysis, and Interpretation.” (Ch. 1–2). W.W. Norton.
Auspurg, Katrin, and Thomas Hinz. 2015. “Factorial Survey Experiments.” SAGE Publications, Ch. 1–2.
Hainmueller, Jens, Daniel J. Hopkins, and Teppei Yamamoto. 2014. “Causal Inference in Conjoint Analysis: Understanding Multidimensional Choices via Stated Preference Experiments.” Political Analysis 22(1): 1–30.
Mutz, Diana C. 2011. “Population-Based Survey Experiments.” Princeton University Press, Ch. 2.
Auspurg, Katrin, and Thomas Hinz. 2015. “Factorial Survey Experiments.” SAGE Publications, Ch. 3.
Kossowska, M., Czarnek, G., Szwed, P., Andrysiak, A., & Knorr, A. Rigidity at the Margins the Ideological Boundaries of Belief Change. Available at SSRN 5391011.
Gelman, Andrew, and Jennifer Hill. 2007. “Data Analysis Using Regression and Multilevel/Hierarchical Models.” Cambridge University Press, Ch. 12–13.
Gaines, Brian J., James H. Kuklinski, and Paul J. Quirk. 2007. “The Logic of the Survey Experiment Reexamined.” Political Analysis 15(1): 1–20.
Sen, Maya, and Omar Wasow. 2016. “Race as a Bundle of Sticks: Designs that Estimate Effects of Seemingly Immutable Characteristics.” Annual Review of Political Science 19: 499–522.
Druckman, James N., and Cindy D. Kam. 2011. “Students as Experimental Participants: A Defense of the ‘Narrow Data Base’.” PS: Political Science & Politics 44(4): 1029–1032.
Brutger, R., Kertzer, J., Renshon, J., Tingley, D., & Weiss, C. (2023). Abstraction and Detail in Experimental Design. American Journal of Political Science, 67(4), 979-995.
Creighton, M. J., Brenner, P. S., Schmidt, P., & Zavala-Rojas, D. (2019). Application of a List Experiment at the Population Level: The Case of Opposition to Immigration in the Netherlands. Experimental Methods in Survey Research: Techniques that Combine Random Sampling with Random Assignment, 181-193.
Ehler, I., Wolter, F., & Junkermann, J. (2021). Sensitive questions in surveys: A comprehensive meta-analysis of experimental survey studies on the performance of the item count technique. Public Opinion Quarterly, 85(1),
|