Fall 2002 BUSH 631: Quantitative Methods in Public Management I Section 602, Donald Deere Bush Academic Building 3039; [e-mail]; 845-2059 Hours: W 1:30 3:00, and by appt. Course Description. Every public service professional must make decisions. Good decisions are grounded in facts and with appropriate attention to objectives, ramifications, and constraints. This course introduces the student to some formal aspects, methods, and implications of decision-making useful to public managers, administrators, and leaders. It is intended to provide students with an understanding of what data can do for good decision-making and with the knowledge and skills necessary to use data effectively in decision-making. The course is organized around three questions that public service professionals will be asked: What questions are to be answered? What information is needed to answer the questions and how can it be collected? What type of analysis is required in order to obtain useful answers? Course Objectives. The course has three objectives. The first is to provide the student with sufficient knowledge of quantitative methods in a public management setting to use such methods effectively. The second is to provide the skills and insight necessary to make critical evaluations of the use of quantitative methods by others. A third objective is to provide students the ability to use the SPSS software proficiently. Course Texts/Reading Material. There are two texts, Research Methods for Public Administrators, 4th edition, by O'Sullivan, Rassel and Berner (ORB) and Applied Statistics for Public Administration, 5th edition, by Meier and Brudney (MB). In addition, selected supplementary outside readings will be used. The SPSS software will be used in the course. Course Requirements. The course grade is determined based on the four items below with the specified weights (timely completion of homework and prepared participation in class are necessary to meet minimum expectations): Mid-term exam Lab exercises Individual data analysis project Final exam 25% 20% 25% 30% Disabilities. The American's with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal antidiscrimination statute that provides <a href="/keyword/comprehensive-civil-rights-protection/" >comprehensive civil rights protection</a> for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Office of Support Services for Students with Disabilities in Room 126 or the Student Services Building. The phone number is 8451637. 1 Fall 2002 Course Outline Topic Research Design and Measurement Descriptive Statistics and Probability Dates 9/3 9/17 9/19 10/1 Comment ORB, 1-4; MB, 1-3; outside reading MB, 4-10; ORB, ...