POLICY 742 : Statistics and Data Analysis for Policy

Arts

2025 Semester Two (1255) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Provides the fundamentals of statistical analysis and examines the use of different types of data used in evidence-based policy making, as well as the issues associated with the advent, use and governance of big data. Covers research design choices and quantitative methods for policy analysis.

Course Overview

This course covers quantitative methods in relation to policy-relevant research, specifically research design, data analysis, and interpretation. Particular attention is paid to computer-assisted data analysis using R.

Topics covered will include the research process, sampling, and sampling error, a range of statistical analyses (including correlations, chi-square tests, t-tests, regressions, and ANOVAs), and its application using R. We will also introduce the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI), a large research database containing anonymised microdata about people and households, as well as the opportunities and issues its use presents for conducting policy-relevant research.

Course Requirements

Restriction: POLICY 769, POLITICS 769

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Master of Public Policy

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Understand and apply the major steps and components of a range of quantitative research methods using existing datasets and standard software. (Capability 3, 4 and 5)
  2. Effectively interpret statistical output and communicate implications. (Capability 3 and 6)
  3. Gain skills and experience in using the data analysis software package R (Capability 3 and 5)
  4. Develop a practical appreciation of relationships among theory, research design, analysis, and reporting. (Capability 3, 4, 5 and 6)
  5. Understand and critically evaluate the implications associated with using linked administrative data for policy. (Capability 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8)
  6. Actively engage with learning material and peers online. (Capability 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7)
  7. Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills. (Capability 4, 5 and 8)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Coursework 100% Individual Coursework
Quantitative report Individual Coursework
Research proposal Individual Coursework

Exam Mode

There is no final exam for this course

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 30 point course and students are expected to spend 25 hours per week involved in each 30 point course that they are enrolled in. 

Theses 25 hours can be distributed across 8 hours of working through module content and activities, 5 hours of reading and reflection, and 12 hours of work on assignments. 

Delivery Mode

Online

The course will include live online events in the form of online office hours.
Where possible, study material will be released progressively throughout the course.
This course runs to the University semester/quarter timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

This course is available for delivery to students studying remotely outside NZ in 2025.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

There is no essential text for the current course. However, you may find the following textbook useful:
  • Jenkins-Smith, Hank C., Ripberger, Joseph T., Copeland, Gary, Nowlin, Matthew C., Hughes, Tyler, Fister, Aaron L., Wehde, Wesley (2017). Quantitative Research Methods for Political Science, Public Policy and Public Administration (With Applications in R). DOI: 10.15763/11244/52244.
  • Field, A., Miles, J., & Field, Z. (2012). Discovering statistics using R. Sage.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Student feedback on the structure and delivery of the course and engagement from teaching staff is generally positive. There will be some adjustments for 2025, based on feedback from 2024:

  • Additional videos will be incorporated into modules to support visual learners and offer more interactive guidance.
  • To ensure concepts are absorbed more effectively, the pacing of weekly quizzes and discussions will be adjusted to balance practice opportunities with the time needed for reflection.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

 

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 29/10/2024 11:53 a.m.