Liebe Gelistete,

ich möchte Sie gerne auf das Methodenangebot der Summer School on Methods and Techniques des European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR) hinweisen. Gleichwohl die ECPR der Ausrichter ist sind die Kurse für Politologen und Soziologen gleichermaßen offen und interessant.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen

Ingo Rohlfing

____________________________________________ Ingo Rohlfing, PhD wiss. Mitarbeiter Lehrstuhl für Empirische Sozial- und Wirtschaftsforschung (Prof. Hans-Jürgen Andreß) Fakultät für Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaften Universität zu Köln Herbert-Lewin-Str. 2 50931 Köln Fon: 0221 470 2078 Fax: 0221 470 2069 http://eswf.uni-koeln.de/mitarbeiter/rohlfing/index.php

In 2008, the European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR) will organise its third Summer School in Methods and Techniques in cooperation with the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia (dates: 30 July to 16 August 2008).

The ECPR Summer School in Methods and Techniques provides high quality up-to-date training in a broad range of specially selected methods across the whole spectrum of approaches employed within the social sciences. It will emphasise those methods which are particularly salient for research questions in political science and neighbouring disciplines, as well as dealing with all stages of a project and catering to the needs of research set at the macro and at the micro level, covering both 'quantitative' and 'qualitative' designs as well as more 'positivist' and 'interpretative' perspectives.

Here below is a quick overview of the training offer. After the success of the 2006 and 2007 Summer Schools, we have decided to further expand the training offer.

1. REFRESHER COURSES (three days: 30 July - 01 August) ------------------------------------------------------ These courses offer an intensive introduction/ refresher on more quantitative and formal tools and software environments. They are taught by experienced instructors from the University of Ljubljana. They are particularly recommended for participants who have little formal training and wish to take one of the main courses, but may also be attended on a stand alone basis. 1. Introduction to SPSS 2. Introduction to R 3. Maths refresher (I): Linear algebra & calculus 4. Maths refresher (II): Probability 5. Inferential Statistics

2. RESEARCH DESIGN SEMINARS (one day: 02 August) ------------------------------------------------ Participants will have the opportunity to attend up to four of the following seminars, each of which is scheduled to last ninety minutes. The purpose of this series of seminars is to offer a 'package' of useful reflections, resources and practical tips at the different stages of one's research. A. Linking theories, methods and data in political science. B. How to manage one's research planning. C. How to write a research proposal. D. How to write a journal article. E. How to present qualitative data. F. Visualising quantitative data.

3. MAIN COURSES (two weeks: 04 August - 16 August) -------------------------------------------------- 6. Mathematical concepts and formal modelling 7. Configurational comparative methods: QCA and fuzzy sets 8. Multiple regression analysis 9. Multivariate analysis and cross-national survey analysis 10. Network analysis 11. Case study analysis 12. Multilevel analysis 13. Expert interview (interview techniques) & documentary collection and management 14. Mixed methods: methodology and applications 15. Event history and survival analysis 16. Advances in survey methodology: comparative survey design and online survey design 17. Quantitative text analysis 18. Interpretive methods: the making of qualitative data and analysis 19. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling 20. Interactive qualitative data: online and offline ethnography, focus groups and interviewing

In addition, again in 2008, we plan to organise a lively plenary and social programme that will include receptions, interactive debates and lectures. Indeed the Summer School is meant to be a key venue for methodological debates and 'cross-fertilization', as well as a pleasant place for informal interaction.

For detailed course descriptions and further information on tuition fees, accommodation and the application process, please go to the summer school pages on the main ECPR website: http://www.ecprnet.org

CONTACT: ECPR CENTRAL SERVICES Emer Padden - Summer Schools & Special Events Manager t: 0044 1206 874 115 f: 0044 1206 872 500 e: ecpr@essex.ac.uk; epadde@essex.ac.uk w: www.ecprnet.org