PPA207: Quantitative Research Methods

Spring, 2003

 

Public Policy and Administration

California State University, Sacramento

 

Professor Miguel Ceja

3029 Tahoe Hall

cejam@csus.edu

(916) 278-5591

 

Office Hours

Tuesdays and Thursdays 4-5:30pm

 

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

 

This graduate seminar is intended to prepare students to understand the nature, assumptions, and logic of quantitative methodology.  The course will focus on issues of design, conceptualization, analysis, and interpretation of quantitative research procedures.  The aim of this course is to help students acquire skills and gain experience in using a variety of research techniques for the purposes of understanding and making sense of governmental policies.

 

Learning objectives:

 

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to:

  1. Understand the nature of quantitative procedures and how they compare to more traditional qualitative procedures;
  2. Demonstrate skills necessary to engage in quantitative inquiry;
  3. Identify various ways of collecting quantitative data (survey, cross-sectional, longitudinal, etc.);
  4. Have a working knowledge of descriptive and regression analysis and the strengths of these techniques;
  5. Understand how to summarize, compile, interpret, and report quantitative data; and
  6. Put together a research paper that utilizes quantitative methods to better understand a policy problem.

 

COURSE FORMAT

 

The graduate seminar is a space of open discussion, inquiry, and discovery.  The success of the seminar rests on the free and uninhibited intellectual and emotional engagement of all participants.  Effective participation and learning requires that students read class material, reflect on the readings, and come to the seminar prepared to share their ideas with classmates.  In addition to class discussions, there will be analytical exercises, discussion of computer assignments and individual student presentations.

 

 

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING

 

There are four components to students’ grades:

 

  1. Class attendance and participation – 25%
  2. Midterm Assessment – 25%
  3. Final presentation and course assignments – 25%
  4. Final paper – 25%

 

Classroom Participation

         Classroom participation includes attendance, weekly class discussion, prepared questions or comments, in-class activities and student presentations.  Missing more than two class sessions will lower your overall grade for the class.

 

If you do miss class:

 

*Please tell me in advance, if possible.

*To demonstrate that you have engaged the material for a particular class, write a short analytical essay that reacts to one of the readings in depth.

 

*The reaction is due the day of the class you are scheduled to miss.  This can be submitted electronically or placed in my box.  If you miss a class unexpectedly, a different due date can be negotiated.

 

Remember, class participation is 25% of the grade!

 

Midterm Assessment

            You will be given a midterm assessment after parts one and two of the course.  This will take place during the class session of March 19.

 

Final Presentation and Course Assignments

            Final papers will be presented to the class (conference style) using power point slides and orally peer-reviewed by the class during the last two weeks of the semester.  Course assignments will consist of article critiques, and exercise problems from both the Pollock and Kahane books.  These will be due during the class session that they are assigned for. 

 

Final paper

            Final papers (15-20 pages, dbl-spaced) are due finals week.  Paper topics open but should be approved by week 3.  A two-page prospectus for final papers is due on week 3, but can be turned in earlier for approval.  I also encourage you to discuss your paper topic with me prior to week 3.  Drafts of sections of the paper will be due throughout the semester.  In your paper, you will be required to include at least 10 references relevant to your research topic. 

 

Required Texts

 

  1. John W. Creswell.  (2002).  Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches, Second Edition.  Sage Publications. Thousand Oaks.

 

  1. Leo H. Kahane (2001). Regression Basics.  Sage Publications: Thousand Oaks.

 

  1. Phillip H. Pollock (2002).  An SPSS Companion to Political Analysis.  CQ Press: Washington.

  2. SPSS Base 11.0 (Graduate Pack):  Applications Guide and CD-ROM, 2002
    -must be purchased at CSUS Bookstore in computer department.

 

Outline of Topics and Assignments

 

PART 1: CONCEPTUALIZING AND DESIGNING QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

 

 

PART 2: DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS

 

 

 

 

PART 3: REGRESSION ANALYSIS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Final Papers Due Monday May 19