MPA 611: APPL STATS PUBLIC DECISION-MAKING

In this course, students develop quantitative analytical skills that can be applied to public management and policy problems, program evaluations, and critical research questions. This course emphasizes the application of statistical techniques, the interpretation of statistical results, the use of statistics in management decision-making, and the implementation of statistical tools using computer software. Students learn both the statistical theory and software skills necessary to perform analysis in the public and nonprofit sectors. The course takes a systemic approach to the exposition of the general linear model for continuous dependent variables, and lays the theoretical foundations for linear econometric approaches. Students are introduced to the use of computerized statistical analysis using the software programs, SPSS and/or R.