PhD Studentship:Quantitative Methods in Social Science, University of London, UK

June 26, 2010

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Job Description: The Department of Quantitative Social Science (DoQSS) at the Institute ofEducation, University of London, houses a major ESRC-funded project on the use ofadministrative data in policy analysis. The ADMIN project forms part of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods. As part of ADMIN, the Institute is now funding a new PhD studentship to work on methodological and policy issues relating to the use of administrative data, especially administrative data that are linked to
survey data.
ADMIN
ADMIN (Administrative data: methods, inference and network) aims to exploit newly linked administrative and survey longitudinal data to develop and disseminate methodology for making the best use of administrative data and reassessing how best to deal with some of the common problems associated with using survey-based longitudinal data.We develop innovative methodological approaches to analysing administrative and survey panel data by addressing substantive research questions in the areas of education, economics and social policy. ADMIN also builds capacity in using administrative data through training courses, web-based materials, fellowships and studentships as well as by developing an international network of researchers.
ADMIN is directed by Professor Lorraine Dearden. Other staff are listed here. Potential supervisors include, but are not restricted to: Dr James Brown, Professor Lorraine Dearden, Professor Sophia Rabe-Hesketh, Professor John Micklewright,Professor John McDonald, Professor Anna Vignoles.
Subject of study
The PhD could take a more methodological focus, with research on such issues as:
-impact of data linkage errors on analysis
-using linked data to understand measurement errors and non-response in surveys
-small area estimation and mapping with linked data
-using linked surveys to enhance the power of analysis based on administrativedata
-using surveys to estimate and adjust for who is ‘missing’ from administrative data Or the research could take a more applied focus, such as (but not restricted to) the following issues, which illustrate one of the major areas of policy interest for ADMIN,education:
-higher education entry for students from disadvantaged backgrounds
-higher education funding and the impact of student support for part-time andmature students
-the impact of socio-economic background on educational achievement
-measuring the effectiveness of schools, universities or colleges
-rates of return to education
-using evaluation methods to look at the impact of government policy
The Department for Quantitative Social Science (DoQSS) DoQSS has leading research expertise in applied economics, social statistics,
econometric and statistical modelling, human development/psychology, and the techniques of policy evaluation. Our skills are used to investigate a wide range of subjects related to education, labour markets and the life course. We have excellent links to our sister Department housed in the same building, the Centre for Longitudinal Studies, which manages three of Britain’s internationally renowned birth cohort studies. Much of our research draws on these cohort data resources, on other
longitudinal surveys such as the Longitudinal Study of Young People in England, and on large administrative registers of microdata such as the National Pupil Database. Besides ADMIN, the large scale research projects housed in DoQSS include a recently awarded DCSF Centre for the Analysis of Youth Transitions, held jointly with the nearby Institute for Fiscal Studies with which we have many contacts. A flourishing weekly seminar series attracts an excellent range of external speakers. Our location in the heart of Bloomsbury means staff and students are able to attendseminars easily at other leading research centres in central London, e.g. at UCL andLSE, including the Centre for the Economics of Education in which DoQSS is a partner. The research output and reputation of DoQSS contributed to the Institute’s outstanding result in the education panel of the UK’s government’s 2008 Research Assessment Exercise. The Institute topped the league table for education research with 65% of its research activity rated either world-leading or internationally excellent. Research output from DoQSS in part circulates through our working paper series.
Duration of study
The award is for three years.
Type of applicant
Applicants will have a good first degree in a quantitative social science, e.g. economics, geography or psychology, or in maths or statistics. (The degree should be at the 2(i) level or above if obtained in the UK.) They will have a strong quantitative background and will usually have completed, or be about to complete, an MSc degree or equivalent in a quantitative social science or in research methods.
Eligibility
The studentship is open to both existing UK residents and to citizens of other EU countries.
Financial package
The studentship covers tuition fees and provides an annual tax-free stipend of approx. £15,500. There may also be the opportunity to undertake limited part-time research assistance and/or teaching.
Application procedure
A CV and covering letter describing your research interests and how they would fit into the ADMIN project should be sent to Magdalen Meade, of the DoQSS
administrative staff, at m.meade@ioe.ac.uk.
The application deadline is 7 July 2010.

We anticipate interviewing candidates on 19 July.
If you would like to discuss a possible application informally or if you would like anyfurther information, please contact Lorraine Dearden, L.Dearden@ioe.ac.uk, JohnMicklewright, J.Micklewright@ioe.ac.uk, or Anna Vignoles, A.Vignoles@ioe.ac.uk.

Further Scholarship Information

Scholarship Tags: PhD studentship, Social Science, UK