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DDPA Courses:
DDPA 8218 - Research Methods in Public Administration

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(5 credits)

This course provides students with essential research skills and methodological frameworks necessary for conducting rigorous inquiry in public administration. Students explore quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches to investigating public sector challenges, program effectiveness, and policy outcomes. The course emphasizes ethical research practices, including human subjects protection, cultural sensitivity in research design, and responsible data collection and analysis. Students learn to formulate research questions, design appropriate methodologies, and select analytical techniques that align with diverse community needs and organizational contexts. Through hands-on application of statistical software and data visualization tools, students develop competencies in exploratory data analysis, program evaluation design, and evidence-based decision making. The course prepares students to conduct research that advances public administration practice while serving diverse populations across all levels of government and nonprofit organizations. 

Pre-requisites

  • DDPA 8212