Methods for Policy Research
3.0
creditsAverage Course Rating
This course will introduce students to quantitative methods for studying social policy problems. Topics to be covered include descriptive statistics and sampling, correlation and causation, simple and multiple regression, experimental methods, and an introduction to cost-benefit analysis. The emphasis will be on the selection, interpretation and practical application of these methodologies in specific policy settings, rather than with formal proofs. Skills will be reinforced by hands-on exercises using statistical software. Over the course of the semester, students will critically analyze policy reports and empirical research in a range of policy areas and learn how to present this research to a non-specialist audience. Finally, we will discuss the pros and cons of quantitative vs. qualitative methodologies. The course will conclude with group presentations that draw on all these skills. Enrollment restricted to Social Policy minors only.
Spring 2015
Professor: Barbara Morgan
The best aspects of this course was the fun, engaging and relevant material the professor covered. Students appreciated the caring instructor and the opportunity to gain hands-on experience. Students were at different levels concerning experience with economics and STATA which made the course work difficult to teach. Some students felt they could benefit from additional coverage of statistical tools and analytic strategies. This course is focused on data analysis and prospective students should take statistics or economics prior to enrolling in this course.