Whether you subscribe to the view that there are lies, damned lies, and statistics or not, statistics will almost certainly (invade or) influence your life.  The focus of Advanced Research Methods is on learning useful analysis techniques (both in SPSS and Excel) to support meaningful research and effective decision making.  We will learn what questions to ask regarding data, how to perform statistical analyses, how to read and interpret statistical findings, and how to communicate research results.   

This is a required course for the MPA's Public Policy Concentration, and is open as an elective for other MPA

students. In order to take this course, students must have completed the MPA first year Core program and either

be enrolled in, or completed, the MPA second year Core program. Advanced undergraduate and other potential

students will be admitted, with instructor permission, on a space available basis.