PADM6070, Quantitative Data Analysis
Fall 2008
(Sangren #2202; Thursdays, 6:00 to 9:00 PM)
Udaya R. Waglé
226 East Walwood Hall
School of Public Affairs and Administration
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Phone: (269) 387-8934; Fax (269) 387-8935
Email:
Web: http://homepages.wmich.edu/~uwagle
People use quantitative data to present, describe, and explain phenomena in almost every natural and social science field. Even the fields traditionally known to apply qualitative data now increasingly use quantitative data to carryout research and perform analyses. Political scientists and public administrators, in particular, find use of numbers enormously appealing in research, studies, and managerial decisions (See, for example, how presidents use numbers in their addresses to prove or justify certain decisions, policies, or programs). And obviously, whenever quantitative data are involved, statistics, which is the science of deriving, manipulating, and reporting such data, is invoked. As public administration students, proficiency in basic statistics is not only useful but a must, no matter whether you intend to pursue academic or other careers.
This course is an introduction to quantitative analytical techniques employed by professional administrators in the collection, manipulation, interpretation, and presentation of data utilized to test hypotheses and analyze policy problems. Quantitative methods may include frequency distribution, sampling techniques, measures of central tendency, probability, variability, regression, measures of association, correlation, and various other applied quantitative measures. While it is important to deal with fundamental concepts, the focus will be on applying basic statistical techniques to facilitate research, policy, or decision analyses.
Course Objectives
- To gain familiarity with the process of collecting, coding, and organizing data;
- To be able to manipulate data and clearly, concisely, and consistently present them;
- To be able to describe population using a number of statistical tools;
- To be able to explore and identify association between variables using bivariate and multivariate techniques;
- To be able to use appropriate software for basic statistical analyses; and
- To become critical consumers of reports and publications involving basic statistical techniques.
Course Materials:
(Required) Healey, Joseph F. 2009. Statistics: A Tool for Social Research (8th Edition). Wadsworth.
(Required) SPSS Software, Version 14.0, SPSS Inc. (Version 12.0 or 13.0 will do fine if you already have it.)
(Recommended) Mann, Prem S. 2005. Statistics Using Technology. John Wiley and Sons. We will use Chapters 4 and 5, which are available on the Waldo Library's E-Reserve System. Note that you will need to use your e-Reserve account and an instructor-supplied password to access them.
You can purchase the required text and the SPSS software in a bundle at WMU Bookstore (appropriate branch campus in case of an EUP offering). I am not sure if this bundle will be available online but in case you know how to get it from alternative sources, use this ISBN: 0495-633-771.
Alternatively, you can purchase the text and the software separately (especially if you already have the software). But buying separately where as you have to buy both of them now may not be a good idea because the bundle is offered at a substantially discounted price.
Delivery Method
Classes will include traditional lecture presentation, lab demonstration, and discussion on practice exercises. When it comes to using computer software, how much time you spend and how much guided practice you do really matter. I expect you to familiarize yourself with the software as much as possible by using it at home. Also, bringing your laptops with you when applicable would be helpful to closely follow the lab demonstrations.
Performance Evaluation
There will be in-class midterm and final exams including multiple choice and true/false questions, short answer questions, and short exercises to be completed by hand. Your active participation also counts in this course with regular lab demonstrations and practice exercises. While your grades will depend exclusively on the exams and active class participation, working through the un-graded practice exercises will be essential to prepare yourself for both of these. Note that class participation goes beyond one's physical presence and includes active engagement in various class activities. Because classes include discussion of the solutions to the practice exercises as well as lab procedures and outputs, there will be various opportunities to demonstrate active engagement or what I call is "informed inquisitiveness." Following is the distribution of weights for each activity.
Midterm Exam 40%
Final Exam (non-cumulative) 40
Active Participation 20
Total 100
I will use the following as a general guide (all in percentage terms) to determine your letter grade. Some adjustments may occur, however, especially on the exams, depending on the performance of the entire class.
A≥94
94 >BA≥ 88
88 >B≥ 82
82 >CB≥ 76
76 >C≥ 70
C >F (Fail)
You are responsible for making yourself aware of and understanding the policies and procedures in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs that pertain to Academic Honesty. These policies include cheating, fabrication, falsification and forgery, multiple submission, plagiarism, complicity and computer misuse. [The policies can be found at http://catalog.wmich.edu under Academic Policies, Student Rights and Responsibilities.] If there is reason to believe you have been involved in academic dishonesty, you will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. You will be given the opportunity to review the charge(s). If you believe you are not responsible, you will have the opportunity for a hearing. You should consult with your instructor if you are uncertain about an issue of academic honesty prior to the submission of an assignment or test.
Other Useful Materials
1. Dataset and other learning aides: We will do almost all of our lab demonstrations and practice exercises using the General Social Survey 2006 dataset. As described in the text, this is a comprehensive dataset representative of the entire country. A workable version of the dataset is available here. While the book companion site (http://sociology.wadsworth.com/healey/statistics7e) provides different versions of the GSS data, we would be better served by using the data I have created specifically for this purpose. I would, however, encourage you to use other useful materials including lecture notes, PowerPoint slides, exams and tutorials, and other datasets.
2. PowerPoint Slides: Click here and use the password to access the PowerPoint slides that I use in class. Note that these may be slightly different from the ones you can find on the textbook website.
3. Practice Exercises: There will be a practice exercise most of the weeks. You will find your exercises here.
4. Weekly Meetings and Coverage: Here is our plan of weekly meetings and coverage.