MPPA 510 - Applied Research Methods I : Models and Analytics

3
This course addresses the assumptions, approaches and methods underlying the development of research in public policy. Covering the fundamentals of the research process from the inception of the research interest to information dissemination, students explore all the necessary requirements to conduct research on a public policy issue. Students will learn to critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different research approaches (mixed, quantitative and qualitative) and how different designs can be used to shape the research question, data collection methods, processes for data analysis, and communication strategies for dissemination. Published policy research using different research designs will be critically evaluated and provide opportunities to explore recent advances in the field of policy and social justice initiatives. A significant emphasis is placed on ethical considerations in the research process as well as strategies for assessing research integrity, validity, and quality.