International relations

Data Analysis for Global Challenges

Module code: 038IRA
Level 6
30 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Workshop, Project
Assessment modes: Coursework, Project

The ability to work with ‘large datasets’ is now a core skill in social science and related careers.

On this module, you’ll explore key social and environmental challenges while learning the basics of data analysis. You’ll learn:

• where to find data on key social and environmental dynamics, and how to use it
• how to examine relationships between different social and environmental trends
• how to analyse large textual data
• how to read tables that report statistical results
• how to present and visualise your findings.

While working with this data, you’ll build your understanding of how economic and environmental crises interact in the context of sustainability transition. This module is for students with no background in data or statistical analysis.

Module learning outcomes

• Access, download and use large datasets to support or develop research ideas, projects and findings
• Work with and analyse large textual data
• Analyse key challenges to sustainability transition by utilizing different types of data (qualitative, quantitative, visual)
• Use data visualisations (a) to identify patterns in, and draw insights from, complex data and (b) to communicate effectively research findings to different audiences