POS 487 - Research Issues in Public Management

3 CR

Public managers are asked to digest an imposing range of statistical studies and research reports. Unfortunately, errors are common, and purposeful bias is routinely encountered. This makes it unwise for managers to assume the integrity of research presented to them. Good decision-making requires a critical understanding of prevailing methods - an understanding of their inherent limitations, and the difficulties associated with their application in a realistic management context. Accordingly, this course must go beyond the standard coverage of measurement, research design, and statistical methods. It addresses the origins, development, and current status of the social science idea, and the problems that have recently surfaced in the research output of many fields, ranging from education to medicine.

Prerequisite(s): MAT 115.