Statistics

Today when I was working on an assignment I had to have a look at one of my statistics books. Taking the book from my library, I realized that I have so many books on statistics. Since my research master program mainly focuses on quantitative analysis methods, each semester we take courses on different statistical analysis methods. This semester for example, we are studying ML (multilevel analysis) and SEM (Structural Equation Modeling). While studying these methods, we use various computer programs. It is really important for a researcher to be able to use these programs. Actually for many social science students these programs are quite challenging since most do not have a mathematical background, which may make understanding complex statistical equations very difficult. In the preface of one of my statistics books, the author makes a citation from the lyrics of a Radiohead song: “Karma police, arrest this man, he talks in maths, he buzzes like a fridge, he’s like a detuned radio” (I find it quite funny to find lyrics of a Radiohead song in a statistics book but it fits really well, no? I also like the song by the way J) Anyways, as a social science student, I also find the statistics courses challenging but on the other hand I am glad that I have the chance to learn to use different programs like STATA, SPSS, MlwiN and Amos. I already have a really good background on qualitative research methods and now, learning all these statistical programs I am improving my skills as a researcher. I find it very important that I will be able to use both qualitative and quantitative research skills at the end of my masters program.