BPOLST 594: Research methods

Spring 2021, Tuesdays @ 5:45pm

Office: UW2-212

Office Hours: Tuesdays, 9am-11am & by appointment

OVERVIEW

This course focuses on research design within the broad field of public policy analysis, including approaches that make use of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methodologies. There are three primary objectives of this course. The first is to provide students with an in-depth look at experimental, quasi-experimental, non-experimental, and case study designs used to understand and evaluate public policies and programs. Next, students will practice evaluating the strengths and limitations of these designs as they have been implemented in policy reports and the academic public policy analysis literature. Finally, students will use this course as an opportunity to further develop their research designs for their capstone projects. Thus, students should expect to leave this course with a strong foundation in both the critical literacy and practice of research design as it relates to public policy analysis.

OBJECTIVES

Students completing this course can expect to accomplish the following:

To learn how to critically engage with experimental, longitudinal, cross-sectional, and case study research designs in policy studies;
To practice the craft of communicating elements of research design to a variety of audiences;
To identify and develop specialized expertise in a research design approach that is grounded in the literature and appropriate to your capstone project.
- Note about this objective: It is understandable that you will primarily be interested in this objective since the capstone project is the major requirement for the MAPS degree program. However, I will push back on the tendency to develop “capstone myopia,” a common and serious condition in which you only think about research design as it relates to your own project.

FORMAT

The format of this course will vary between synchronous meetings and semi-asynchronous online discussions via the Canvas Discussion Board. This design is meant to offer a balance between flexibility and connectivity during this atypical quarter. During weeks when we meet via Zoom, I will often post a video and/or reading that you are expected to complete prior to our Zoom meeting. The idea is to eliminate “lecture” from our Zoom meetings and take full advantage of the opportunity to engage in real-time discussion. On the other hand, the discussions via the Canvas Discussion Board are meant to provide space for students to engage in in-depth analysis and discussion with greater flexibility in timing.

EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE

I expect you to use your UW e-mail account regularly so that I can communicate with each of you electronically via Canvas between class meetings. If you wish to use another e-mail address as your primary account, set up your UW account to forward to your other address.

Please email me via Canvas. If you send me an email, you can expect to hear back from me within 24 hours during the week, and by Monday if you email me over the weekend. If you email me with a question and do not hear back from me promptly, it is likely because the answer to your question is on this syllabus or was announced in class. I typically check and respond to email first thing in the morning and then again in the late afternoon. I will let you know if I anticipate being unavailable due to travel or other circumstances.

I do not take attendance, so there is no need to email me if you are going to be absent.

TEXTS & TOOLS

All readings will be made available via uploaded PDFs and links through Canvas. Please refer to the Canvas modules for weekly reading assignments.

Assignments

Student-led Research design critiques and Misc. Posts (25%, due date: ongoing)

There will be a variety of discussion posts throughout the quarter. These are designed to give you space to think about research design and to engage with your peers from week to week without needing to connect synchronously. The first post will come in Week 2 and will be a response to the video lecture and reading. More information is provided on Canvas.

From Week 3 thru Week 8, groups of 4 to 5 students will take turns assigning policy reports/articles and leading an online discussion concerning the research designs used in the studies. The group of students assigned for the week’s discussion are each responsible for selecting and assigning their own article by the Wednesday before the class meeting (i.e. a week prior). The readings should either be an article from a peer reviewed journal or a report published through a policy-based research center/organization (e.g., RAND Corporation, Mathematica, NBER). Each article should be posted to the Canvas Discussion Board in the appropriate thread with a brief summary of the article and some guiding questions for the rest of the class. All other members of the class are responsible for reading one of the posted articles and posting a 400 - 500 word (~1 single-spaced page) critique/analysis of the design by the Monday evening before our regularly scheduled class meeting.

Capstone research design Sections (60%, multiple due dates)

This is a multi-stage assignment that consists of drafting sections, submitting these sections for peer review, and revising into a final document for the course (and presumably for use in your capstone report).

Literature Review Draft (15%, Due date: April 27)
Introduction/Problem Statement Draft (15%, Due date: May 11)
Data and Methods (15%, Due date: May 25)
Revised and Resubmitted Proposal (15%, Due: June 7)

Section peer reviews (15%, multiple due dates)

In the week following the submission of each proposal draft, you will be paired up to give and receive feedback on drafts of various sections of your capstone report. Canvas will automatically assign pairs of students to peer review groups, and it will be up to you to schedule a time to meet via Zoom to exchange feedback within the week. I will provide a general template for giving feedback. These assignments will be graded as complete/incomplete. There will be three peer reviews:

Literature Review: 5%, due May 4
Introduction/Problem Statement: 5%, due May 18
Data and Methods: 5%, due June 1

ESTIMATED COURSE OUTLINE

*Please note that this outline is only an estimate of what (and when) we will cover. You are responsible for all materials, updates and announcements covered during class sessions. The course calendar will most likely change over time due to unforeseen circumstances; please be sure you are using the most recent version.

WEEK 1: course introduction

WEEK 2: research design paradigms

Week 3: The Role of Literature and Theory in Research Design

Week 4: Writing the introduction, statement of purpose, and research questions

week 5: Experimental designs

week 6: longitudinal designs

week 7: cross-sectional designs

week 8: case study designs

week 9: Writing the data collection and analysis plan

Week 10: final peer review and synthesis

week 11: Final exam week

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES & CONSIDERATIONS

IAS PORTFOLIO

Students majoring in degrees offered by IAS begin the process of creating a Google Drive archive in “BIS 300: Interdisciplinary Inquiry” and conclude it by creating a Capstone Portfolio in BIS 499. IAS students should maintain an archive of all of the work they have done in (or in relation to) their undergraduate education. To get started with UW Google Apps (including Google Drive), students may consult UW IT’s web page at https://itconnect.uw.edu/connect/email/google-apps/ (scroll down to UW Google Apps Support Online Help Center).

For more information about the IAS portfolio, visit the IAS webpage: http://www.uwb.edu/ias/iasdegreeportfolio. For help on the technical development of your IAS portfolio Learning Technologies (learningtech@uwb.edu or http://www.uwb.edu/learningtech/eportfolios). You can also get help from a student tutor in the campus’s Open Learning Labin UW2-140.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Please see the UWB General Catalog, the documents you signed upon admission to IAS, and these policy statements for crucial information regarding academic integrity. The library also has useful resources for you to explore. You are responsible for knowing what constitutes a violation of the University of Washington Student Code regardless of your intent. Make sure you know how to properly cite any ideas or words you have taken from outside sources.

Work of any kind (including written, video, audio, performance, artistic, etc.) produced outside of this course may not be submitted for credit without first discussing it with your instructor. In most circumstances, work produced for one course may not be submitted for another course.

Please see the Student’s Guide to Academic Integrity for more information and resources.

INCOMPLETES

University rules state that “an incomplete is given only when the student has been in attendance and has done satisfactory work untilwithin two weeks at the end of the quarter and has furnished proof satisfactory to the instructor that the work cannot be completed because of illness or other circumstances beyond the student’s control.” IAS strongly discourages incompletes.

RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY

Diverse backgrounds, embodiments and experiences are essential to the critical thinking endeavor at the heart of university education. In IAS and at UW Bothell, students are expected to:

respect individual differences which may include, but are not limited to: age, cultural background, disability, ethnicity, family status, gender presentation, immigration status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and veteran status.
engage respectfully in discussion of diverse worldviews and ideologies embedded in course readings, presentations, and artifacts, including those course materials that are at odds with personal beliefs and values.

Students seeking support around these issues can find more information and resources here.

Access and Accommodations

It is the policy and practice of the University of Washington to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law. If you have already established accommodations with Disability Resources for Students (DRS), please activate your accommodations via myDRS so we can discuss how they will be implemented in this course. If you have not yet established services through DRS, but have a temporary health condition or permanent disability that requires accommodations (conditions include but not limited to; mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts), contact DRS directly to set up an Access Plan. DRS facilitates the interactive process that establishes reasonable accommodations. Contact DRS at uwbdrs@uw.edu.

Writing and Communication Center

The Writing and Communication Center (WaCC) is available to help students online. We work with students on Zoom (phone and video) and email. We help all students become more stronger, more confident, and independent writers and students. To make an appointment, or more information about the WaCC, our peer consultants, resources, and hours, please visit: https://www.uwb.edu/wacc, or email us at uwbwacc@uw.edu.

For Our Veterans

Welcome! We at UW Bothell understand that the transition into civilian life can be challenging for our veteran students and we have many resources for any who may want to reach out for guidance or assistance. This includes our Vet Corp Navigator through the WDVA and our Student Veterans Association (SVA). Please contact Veteran Services at 425.352.5307 or rosal@uw.edu. For those of you needing more URGENT support, please call The Suicide Prevention Hotline 1.800.273.8255 or connect with the UWB CARE Team https://www.uwb.edu/studentaffairs/care-team.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

Please check if the campus may be closed due to weather. Information on suspension of operations will be made public and available through the media. Students can learn of campus operations status from the website or by calling the Campus Information Hotline 425.352.3333. You may also sign up with an alert system that will contact you via email or text message if classes are canceled. For more information on the alert process, please see this. Class activities will be rescheduled as needed.

GENDER NEUTRAL BATHROOMS (ARC, DISCOVERY HALL, BEARDSLEE BUILDING, HUSKY VILLAGE)

For students who prefer to use an inclusive, gender neutral bathroom, these can be found in the following: ARC– one on each level of the building, one (1) LL restroom room with shower; Discovery Hall – LL, off of ramp connecting DISC to UW2; UWBB – second floor, with shower.

REFLECTION ROOM INFORMATION (UW1-007)

This room is an open use space for all members of UWB who seek quiet time for meditation, reflection and prayer. No reservations are needed to utilize this space. Please follow the guidelines listed in the room about the expectations of the space.

LACTATION AND BABY CHANGING LOCATIONS

Lactation stations can be found in UW1-128, UW2-336, Husky Hall 1419, and Beardslee Crossing 102 U. These stations are available from 8am-5pm and can be reserved online at uwb.edu/admin/services/lactation-station. Baby changing stations are located in Discovery Hall LL 050, UW2-L2 washrooms, UW1-L1 washrooms, LB1 and LB2-L1 washrooms.

additional PARENTING STUDENT RESOURCES

Parenting Students are encouraged to take advantage of the resources provided on campus, which include the Parent Union at UWB, the Child Care Assistance Program, priority access at Bright Horizons Bothell and Bothell KinderCare, back-up/sick care at Bright Horizons, and lactation rooms and baby changing stations on campus. For more information, please visit the Parent Resources website, or contact the Parent Union on Facebook.

UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION POLICY

Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Faculty Syllabus Guidelines and Resources. Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request form available at: https://registrar.washington.edu/students/religious-accommodations-request/