PPPA 8101 Research Methods

Course Description

Doctoral seminar on theory and practice in research methodology. Data sources and gathering, research models and designs. Critical evaluation of research studies. Emphasis on application of research methods to policy questions.

Course content and requirements are designed to develop students’ knowledge and skills in:

1. Articulating one’s own ontological and epistemological preferences;
2. Developing and testing theories and models;
3. Framing and developing good researchable questions;
4. Designing research to provide appropriate comparisons to address research questions;
5. Designing research using “big data;”
6. Weighing the relative advantages of different data collection techniques to address research questions;
7. Writing focused questions for interviews and surveys;
8. Recognizing ethical issues that arise in conducting and reporting research and strategies to address them; and
9. Reporting on one’s own research and on studies conducted by others in a clear manner.