RECENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

The scope of Test 2 will be Sampling (Ch. 5), Primary Data Collection (Ch 6, 7), Data Analysis (Ch 10, 11). In Ch. 10, ignore Factor Analysis. In Ch 11, ignore InterQuratile Range and Exploratory Data Analysis.

OUTLINE OF LECTURES PRESENTED IN CLASS

Theories and concepts of research and evaluation. Specific focus given to action components of the research process: design and formulation, strategies and methodological tools for conducting research. Discussion of the role of research in administrative decisions and in testing ways to implement public policy. A review of contemporary critiques on research design.

According to the FIU catalog, URS 6155 (Quantitative Methods and Analysis) is a prerequisite for taking this course. However, please note that this is not a statistics course. The emphasis is on general methods of research.

The main objective of the course is to expose you to the different research methods, program evaluation, and performance measurement techniques. I will give special emphasis to significance of research and evaluation in specific administrative, program, and policy contexts.  

Upon completion of the course, you should be able to:

• Identify and use different research methods suitable to the purpose
• Identify and implement different program evaluation and performance measurement techniques
• Write a defensible research proposal
• Assess research designs in research and program evaluation reports

I have structured the course in three sections. The sections and the topics within each section are arranged such that there is a natural linkage from one to the next. The first section will focus on the Research Agenda and Design. In this section, we will discuss the ways of setting up the research agenda and an appropriate research design to support the agenda. The second section will focus on Research Analysis and Interpretation. Here, I will introduce the formal statistical procedures of analysis and testing the statistical significance. Although both these sections focus more formally on research methods, I will demonstrate how these concepts are applicable to program evaluation and performance measurement. The third section will formally deal with the central concepts of Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement. I will use specific examples from local, federal, and international agencies to illustrate these concepts.

As the course will progressively evolve from one section to the next, the classes form a chain link. Missing a class could mean that you will miss a crucial link in the evolution. Hence, I strongly advocate class attendance and participation.

To take full advantage of the course, I advise you to do the assigned readings before the class. I could assign specific readings to certain students and call them up at random.

There will be three tests to evaluate your performance in the course, each of which will be held at the conclusion of a section. Each test will have an in-class component and a homework component. The in-class component will consist of questions that will test students’ understanding of the materials covered in the corresponding section. The questions will be both descriptive and analytical in scope. The homework component will consist of an analytical write-up of a substantive issue that relates to the corresponding section. I will give separate handouts explaining the scope and expectations of each homework assignment. You should be prepared to make an informal presentation about each homework assignment in class. I am unlikely to entertain requests for make-up exams or assignments unless it is warranted due to compelling unforeseen circumstances..

Exercise schedule and weightage

The following textbook is required for the course:

O’Sullivan, Elizabeth, Gary R. Rassel, and Maureen Berner.  2003 (4th edition). Research Methods for Public Administrators. New York: Addison Wesley Longman, Inc.

However, please note that students will be required to do periodic readings from other sources assigned from time to time. Materials from the following websites will be used in the course:

William Trocim’s Research Methods Knowledge Base:  http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/

W. K. Kellog Foundation’s Evaluation Toolkit: http://www.wkkf.org/Programming/Resources.aspx?CID=281