90-786 Intermediate Empirical Methods 

for Public Policy and Management

• Should a web databank be implemented to assist in implementing welfare to work policies?
• Will a gun buy back program lower homicide rates?
• Would a school voucher system improve education for the poor?
• Are safety inspection programs effective at reducing highway injuries and fatalities?

Good decision making is based on good data. Sample survey and experimental design techniques aid in getting good data. Empirical methods, primarily statistical tools, are used in designing data capture, obtaining useful information from data, and presenting results convincingly to various audiences. Statistical tools include probability modeling and regression analysis. Statistical software enables empirical methods to be applied.

Teaching Assistant: Matt Stanczak

Meetings: Monday and Wednesday 9:30-10:50am Hamburg Hall 1004
Friday (Workshop) 2-3:20pm Hamburg Hall A100