"Quantitative Methods for Historians" is part of the module on methodological subjects module in the History Degree. It is taught in the first semester of the fourth year.



The main objectives of the course are:

- Introduce students to the main statistical techniques used in handling historical data.

- Familiarise students with one of the most widely used spreadsheet programs (Excel).



This practical course has no prerequisites. It assumes that students have only basic mathematical knowledge and elementary notions of the Windows operating system.



The course is directly related to World Economic History (25552) and Spanish Economic History (25553), but it also connects with other History subjects since quantification is not limited to economic history.



Knowledge of statistical techniques helps students understand the need to organise information for efficient handling and management. With the competencies acquired in the course, students can pursue professional careers in fields where historical records and knowledge of history are used, both in the public and private sectors.

Competencies

- M06CM03: Learn specific techniques to read, study, interpret, and evaluate original historical documents, using epigraphy, palaeography, or other historiographic sciences and techniques when necessary.

- M06CM05: Use ICTs tools to access, process, and organise information sources.



Learning Outcomes:

- Understand basic statistical techniques for handling historical data.

- Solve problems related to the use of quantitative data.

- Demonstrate proficiency in using the Excel spreadsheet.

- Demonstrate ability to represent and edit graphs correctly.

- Use information and telecommunication technologies for scientific purposes in handling and organising historical data.

1. Introduction: statistics and computing (Excel as a working tool)

2. Working with one variable: measures of position and dispersion.

3. Grouping data: frequency distribution.

4. Time series, 1: index numbers and growth rates.

5. Time series, 2: descriptive analysis.

6. Regression and correlation between two variables.

7. Multiple regression.

8. Attribute statistics.

The course will be taught through practical exercises in a computer lab. Completing exercises, both in class and outside the classroom, is essential to gain sufficient skill in using statistical techniques and spreadsheets efficiently.

• Continuous Assessment System
• Final Assessment System
• Tools and qualification percentages:
  • Realization of Practical Work (exercises, cases or problems) (%): 100

A. Continuous Assessment:

Practical exercises: 100% Assessment criteria are made public before the exercises. Solved exercises will be disclosed after completion.



If a student wishes to opt out of continuous assessment, they must submit a written request to the responsible professor within nine weeks from the start of the semester.



B. Final Assessment:

Resolution of four practical exercises on the computer. Assessment criteria are made public before the exercises. Solved exercises will be disclosed after completion.



Students are considered to have withdrawn from the call if they do not attend the exam.



Students must be aware of and follow the protocol on academic ethics and prevention of dishonest or fraudulent practices in assessments and academic work at UPV/EHU.

Resolution of four practical exercises on the computer. Assessment criteria are made public before the exercises. Solved exercises will be disclosed after completion.



Students are considered to have withdrawn from the call if they do not attend the exam.



Students must be aware of and follow the protocol on academic ethics and the prevention of dishonest or fraudulent practices in assessments and scholarly work at UPV/EHU.

Materials provided by the professor through the eGela platform.

Basic bibliography

CARDOSO, C.F.S., and H. PÉREZ BRIGNOLI (1976), Los métodos de la historia. Introducción a los problemas, métodos y técnicas de la historia demográfica, económica y social, Barcelona, Crítica.

CELLIER, J., and M. COCAUD (2001), Traiter des données historiques: Méthodes statistiques/Techniques informatiques, Rennes, Presses Universitaires de Rennes.

COLL, S., and M. GUIJARRO (1998), Estadística aplicada a la historia y a las ciencias sociales, Madrid, Pirámide.

FLOUD, R. (1973), Métodos cuantitativos para historiadores, Madrid, Alianza.

GARCÍA BARBANCHO, A. (1986), Estadística elemental moderna, Barcelona, Ariel.

HUDSON, P., and ISHIZU, M. (2016), History by Numbers. An Introduction to Quantitative Approaches, London, Bloomsbury.

SALY, P. (1991), Méthodes statistiques descriptives pour les historiens, Paris, Armand Colin.

SALY-GIOCANTI, F. (2005), Utiliser les statistiques en histoire, Paris, Armand Colin.

In-depth bibliography

ON STATISTICS AND HISTORY:

CHAUNU, P. (1987), Historia cuantitativa, historia serial, Mexico City, FCE.
KULA, W. (1973), Problemas y métodos de la historia económica, Barcelona, Península.
PLATT, D.C.M. (1989), Mickey Mouse. Numbers in World History. The Short View, London, MacMillan.

Journals

Historical Methodology Journals

Histoire & Mesure: http://histoiremesure.revues.org/

Spanish Journals Related to Economic History

Historia Agraria: http://www.historiaagraria.com/
Investigaciones de Historia Económica-Economic History Research: http://ihe.aehe.net
Revista de Demografía Histórica: https://adeh.org/revista-de-la-adeh/
Revista de Historia Económica-Journal of Iberian and Latin American Economic History: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/revista-de-historia-economica-journal-of-iberian-and-latin-american-economic-history
Revista de Historia Industrial: http://www.ub.edu/rhi/

Web addresses

http://www.adeh.org/: Asociación de Demografía Histórica.
http://www.aehe.net: Asociación Española de Historia Económica.
http://www.bde.es/informes/be/sroja/roja21.pdf: FELIU, G., 1991. Precios y salarios en la Cataluña moderna. Vol. I: Alimentos. Madrid, Banco de España.
http://www.bde.es/informes/be/sroja/roja22.pdf: FELIU, G., 1991. Precios y salarios en la Cataluña moderna. Vol. II: Combustibles, productos manufacturados y salarios). Madrid, Servicio de Estudios del Banco de España.
http://www.bde.es/informes/be/sroja/roja32.pdf: COLL, S. y J.I. FORTEA, 2002. Guía de fuentes cuantitativas para la historia económica de España. Vol. I: Recursos y sectores productivos. Madrid, Servicio de Estudios del Banco de España.
http://www.bde.es/informes/be/sroja/roja42.pdf: COLL, S. y J.I. FORTEA, 1995. Guía de fuentes cuantitativas para la historia económica de España. Vol. II. Finanzas y renta nacional. Madrid, Servicio de Estudios del Banco de España.
http://www.eh.net/databases
http://www.iisg.nl/hpw/: International Institute of Social History [IISH]. Series de precios y salarios
http://www.ine.es/: Instituto Nacional de Estadística.
http://www.le.ac.uk/hi/bon/ESFDB/frameset.html: European State Finance Database
http://www.seha.info/: Sociedad Española de Historia Agraria.
http://www.seppv.uji.es/: Seminari d’Estudis sobre la població del País Valencià [Estadísticas de la población de la Comunidad Autónoma de Valencia].
http://www.uni-tuebingen.de/ieha/: Internacional Economic History Association
http://www2.scc.rutgers.edu/memdb/: Medieval and Early Modern Data Bank [MEMDB]