PUAD 5003 Research and Analytic Methods

Course Description

Decision-making supported by qualitative and quantitative data is becoming increasingly important. Organizations are routinely using data analytics to make informed decisions, evaluate programs, and manage resources. This course will help students build the analytical foundation and data literacy to become competent managers, analysts, and coordinators in public and nonprofit organizations.

This course introduces the fundamentals of research design in the social sciences and covers applied
qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques. Students will develop a conceptual and practical understanding of research and analytic methods, as well as gain essential skills for literature review, text analysis, data collection and management, data visualization, and statistical analysis including univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis. Class sessions will be divided into lectures, discussions, and lab sessions. Students will also work on their own original research projects, with a focus on solving real-world problems
and using data for social good.

Examines quantitative research methods used to answer questions and test hypotheses in public and nonprofit
settings. Methods covered include identifying and reviewing scholarly literature; formulating research
questions; selecting appropriate design, data collection and sampling strategies; and analyzing
data. Topics include causal and descriptive designs, interview and survey methods, and descriptive and
inferential statistics such as chi-square and regression.