Statistical Methodology in Social Statistics

Members of the department working in Applied Social Statistics are organised into two research groups, the Quantitative Criminology and Forensic Science group and the Statistical Methods for Social Research group. The groups are closely interrelated, and work together to discuss common issues and research problems. 

Both groups have been leading proponents of the statistical modelling approach to data analysis in the social sciences and have been at the forefront of developments in the analysis of complex social data. There is a particular interest in modelling longitudinal data. Research in the group has a strong practical emphasis, and often involves the analysis of large social or administrative datasets. Members have been involved in a wide variety of applications, often in collaboration with colleagues elsewhere in the University.

Quantitative Criminology and Forensic Statistics

The methodological focus of the group encompasses latent and preference models, graphical and Bayesian methods; analysis of complex categorical data and longitudinal methods for criminal career data, including discrete time hazard models, bilinear models, IRT models and latent trajectory and transition models. We apply these methods to long-term reconviction studies, equality issues and  discrimination, studies on sentencing, and violence, youth offending, sexual offending and homicide research. The application of statistical methods to forensic science problems is also a focus of the group, especially to the statistical evaluation of forensic evidence.

recent publications | members of the group | research themes

Statistical Methods for Social Research

Methodologically, this group is interested in transition models, random effects and multi-level models, ordinal and  multi-level models for ordinal data and survival and longitudinal data models. There are numerous areas of application involving projects from sociology, linguistics, public health, politics, psychology and computer science. The group also researches into teaching statistics.

recent publications | members of the group | research themes

PHD research

We welcome applications from PhD Students wanting to undertake doctoral research into applied social statistics. A number of ESRC studentships are available each year , with a closing data for applications around the beginning of March each year. Although primarily aimed at UK students, there may be opportunities for highly motivated overseas students to receive funding.  The studentships are targeted at those interested in developing quantitative skills in the social sciences, and cover a four year programme - a masters course followed by a three year PhD.  More information is available here.

Research funding and consultancy

The development of statistical methodology for the social sciences has attracted a considerable number of grants from ESRC and other research funders.  We are interested in collaboration with external research groups in applying state of the art methodology to social research problems. 

Please contact Brian Francis for further details on research in Social Statistics.