Time Schedule:
Rachel G. Kleit
PB AF 527
Seattle Campus
Two-quarter sequence explores how to formulate research questions, gain experience with conducting research, and learn how to assess which statistical tools or research methods are appropriate to answer different types of policy or management questions. Covers probability, descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, and confidence intervals. Prerequisite: graduate status in School of Public Affairs or permission of instructor. Offered: W.
Class description
This course is the first in a two-course sequence aimed at helping you to become informed users and critical consumers of research and statistical analyses. By the end of this course, you will:
· Gain an understanding of research and statistical analyses as ways to explore, describe, or explain phenomena of management or policy concern; · Demonstrate your ability to frame a testable research question; · Use descriptive statistics and statistical inference to address policy or management problems; · Understand the meaning of analyses using confidence intervals, test statistics, and p-values; · Recognize the implications of the quality and quantity of data and randomization for the certainty of results and the ability to answer research questions; · Appreciate the implications of data aggregation decisions for doing analyses, how these decisions may influence analytic results, and, thus, the understanding of policy or management problems; · Demonstrate your ability to use Excel or SPSS to produce results and your capacity to write about those results in a manner that is easily understood by a non-technical policy audience.
In sum, our goal is for you to learn to intelligently use real world data to arrive at reasonable conclusions in your own analyses. Furthermore, you will able to digest and critically assess empirical evidence that you may encounter. Throughout the course, we will examine policy questions and related data in order to learn how to apply analytic techniques.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Lecture, class discussion.
Recommended preparation
Basic mathematics, prep courses in Excel and SPSS.
Class assignments and grading
Problem sets, midterm, final, and a final paper.
