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PUB/POS 316: Methodological Tools for Public Policy |
Course Description
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Instructor: Navid Ghaffarzadegan @Uptown, Humanities 016: Tuesdays 4-5 PM @Downtown, Milne 318: Wednesdays 4-6 PM (by appointment) |
TA: Junesoo Lee |
Catalog description:
Introduction to research design, statistics, and computer usage in political
science and public affairs with an emphasis on the interpretation of results.
Students examine experimental and quasi-experimental and nonexperimental
research designs, summarize and present univariate distributions, perform
bivariate and multivariate analyses including simple cross-tabulations and
multiple regression analysis, and learn to use a computer to perform
statistical and data management operations. Required for public affairs majors.
Prerequisite(s): R Pos 101M or 101G and 102M, or junior or senior class
standing.
Purposes
Methodological Tools for Public Policy is an introduction to statistical
tools for planning, policy analysis, and decision making. The course has two
goals:
• to develop skills in the collection and analysis of data to aid policy
analysis and decision making;
• to open the way for further study in quantitative methods appropriate
to the tasks of public administration, including planning, policy analysis, and
decision making.
Required text:
Moore, McCabe & Craig, Introduction to the Practice of Statistics
(sixth edition)
Required software:
Excel.
Assignments:
Weekly written assignments usually due each Tuesday in class. The assignments
are a place to develop understandings and skills. You are encouraged to
work on them in pairs and to help each other acquire skills and understanding,
but I expect each of you to submit it individually. They will be read and
commented on as time permits, and those handed in on time and complete will be
recorded, but they will not be graded. Assignments should be submitted on time.
You have also two cases, which will be written up as professional memos. Cases
will be graded. A total dealy of 5 days for two cases is accpeted! (I don't
suggest it, but if you want you can have a total delay of 5 days in submitting
your cases. e.g., 4 days for the first one and 1 day for the second one).
Exams and Grading:
Grading is based on two hour exams (30%), a final exam (20%), the cases (20%),
the on-time assignment record (20%), and instructor judgment (10%).
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