course-details-portlet

SOS3515

Advanced statistics and methods in social sciences

Credits 15
Level Second degree level
Course start Autumn 2025
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction English
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Assignment with an adjusting oral exam

About

About the course

Course content

The content of the course varies. It may be given as an overview course, covering several statistical techniques and methods - such as multilevel analysis, panel data analysis or structural equation models - or it may be concentrated on one technique. The course may also link the analytical techniques to advanced rules and aspects of conducting social research, including research designs and data collection/evaluation techniques. Please consult the course coordinator to receive more information about the exact course content of this year.

Learning outcome

Knowledge - the student shall:

  • achieve insight and understanding into one or more techniques in applied statistical data analysis.

Skills - the student shall demonstrate the ability to:

  • be able to apply the learned techniques in a practical manner (using Stata and/or R)
  • demonstrate the ability to use one of the analytical techniques addressed during the course in an independent manner through written work

Learning methods and activities

Intensive lectures/seminars (full days), normally during one week in the beginning of the semester (often the very first week). The sessions consist of a mix of theory and practice, that is, the presented topics and techniques will be subsequently applied in a practical manner (using Stata and/or R).If less than 6 students plan to attend the course, the course may be given as an individual study course with supervision. Students will be informed if this will be the case.

Compulsory assignments

  • Participation on lectures and seminars

Further on evaluation

Form of assessment: Individual term paper with an adjusting oral exam. The term paper should be an empirical research paper using one of the analytical techniques from the course. It should follow the logic of academic articles (intro, theory, data/methods, analysis/results and conclusion/discussion (plus appendix)) and may have a length of 5600-7500 words.The oral exam may be used to adjust the grade by one unit on the scale. The oral exam may cover the term paper, but also the recommended course readings or individually selected readings. All parts of the evaluation must be retaken when the exam is repeated.

Required previous knowledge

SOS3003 or SOS3005 or the equivalent. The requirement must be fulfilled to be admitted to the course.

Course materials

To be announced at the beginning of the semester.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
SOS3507 15 sp Autumn 2008
SOS3507 15 sp Autumn 2008
SOS8001 10 sp Autumn 2008
SOS8535 10 sp Autumn 2024
This course has academic overlap with the courses in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject areas

  • Social Sciences
  • Sociology
  • Political Science

Contact information

Course coordinator

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Sociology and Political Science

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Assignment with an adjusting oral exam
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025

Assignment with an adjusting oral exam
Weighting 100/100 Date Submission 2025-11-13 Time Submission 15:00 Exam system Inspera Assessment

Ordinary examination - Spring 2026

Assignment with an adjusting oral exam
Weighting 100/100 Exam system Inspera Assessment