Certificate in Applied Research & Evaluation Methods
Course of Study
Requirements
Students complete 12 credits of study, including a required three-credit course and nine credits of elective coursework, selected from a list of approved courses. This certificate can be completed entirely over the web.
Required Course:
- PPM 601 Applied Statistics for Public Policy and Management
Introduces students to basic analytical approaches for researching and evaluating policy, planning and management questions. Emphasizes application to real world issues and communication of results to nontechnical audiences. (3 credits) Note: Students who have completed a comparable course may request permission to substitute that course for this requirement. An analytical writing sample is required before a substitution may be approved.
Select an additional nine credits from the following:
- PPM 511 Economic and Business Data and Methodology
- PPM 602 Research Design
Focuses on policy and organizational research. Topics include philosophy of science, research ethics, theory construction, hypothesis testing, measurement, data collection, and applied social research techniques. Prerequisite: PPM 601.(3 Credits) - PPM 603 Applied Research Methods
- PPM 603B Introduction to Forecasting
Introduces students to forecasting using regression analysis. Emphasizes theoretical and practical applications. Prerequisites: PPM 601 and PPM 603F, Introduction to Correlation and Regression Analysis. (1 Credit) - PPM 503C Applied Cost-Benefit Analysis
Emphasizes mastery of the structured approach to thinking about choices that cost-benefit analysis offers and its key tools and vocabulary. (1 Credit) - PPM 603D Economic Impact Analysis
Introduces the theory and practice of economic impact analysis. (1 Credit) - PPM 603F - Introduction to Correlation and Regression Analysis
Provides an orientation to data modeling using correlation analysis and simple and multiple linear regression. Prerequisites: PPM 601. (1 Credit) - PPM 603G Hands-On Multiple Regression
Extends and refines the student's understanding of multiple regression analysis by developing and evaluating regression models within a computer-based environment. Prerequisites: PPM 601 and PPM 603F. (1 Credit) - PPM 503H Graphing Data
Teaches students to select a chart type that is appropriate to both the data and communication objective, and to prepare excellent charts. Prerequisite: Basic familiarity with Excel. (1 Credit) - PPM 604 Evaluation Methods
Introduces students to the methods and techniques used to assess effectiveness and monitor the performance of programs. Topics include problem formulation, determination of evaluation or assessment plan, conducting the research, and presenting results. Information gathering and statistical analysis of data are emphasized. Prerequisites: PPM 601 and 602. (3 Credits) - PPM 606 Survey Methods and Design
Introduces students to the practice of survey research. Students will work individually and in teams to design survey samples, develop survey instruments, and analyze survey data. The emphasis will be on learning the theoretical and practical applications of survey research in planning and policy settings. Prerequisite: familiarity with spreadsheet use. The course will use Microsoft Excel for the analytical exercises. Students may use another spreadsheet or statistics package, but instruction will focus on Excel. (3 Credits) - PPM 531 Practical Performance Measurement
Provides an introduction to development and use of performance indicators for public and nonprofit organizations. Emphasizes practical measurement for real world settings. (3 credits) - CPD 625 Community Planning Analysis
Introduces methods for estimating and projecting the demand for land, housing, and public space in comprehensive land use plans and development project impact evaluations. (2 credits) - CPD 622 Introduction to Arc View
Introduces the Arc View program, a Windows-based Geographic Information Systems program. Covers beginning and intermediate uses of the program. (1-3 credits) - AMS 535 Introduction to Epidemiological Research
Provides a basic foundation in principles for the conduct and interpretation of population-based studies of the distribution, etiology, and control of disease. (3 Credits) - AMS 545 Applied Biostatistical Analysis
Provides a working understanding of the methods of major types of biostatistical analysis used in contemporary epidemiology and in other areas of public health research. (3 Credits)
For more information, please contact:
Susan Moore, Director of Student Affairs
Phone: (207) 780-4864
E-mail: smoore@usm.maine.edu
