Teaching Quantitative Methods to Students of Public Policy

The use of quantitative methods is ubiquitous across the field of public policy. Such methods are used in policy analysis and evaluation as well as by scholars of the policy process. The broad use of quantitative methods requires that these methods are taught to a wide array of students in various programs including undergraduate programs, Master in Public Administration (MPA), Master in Public Policy (MPP), and Ph.D. programs in public affairs, political science, and economics, among others. In this chapter, we delineate a few key considerations when teaching quantitative methods to policy students. First is know your audience. As noted, students of public policy are spread across programs and have varying career goals. Therefore, there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to teaching quantitative methods, rather some students (e.g., MPA) will be best served learning to be sophisticated consumers of quantitative methods, whereas other students (e.g., Ph.D.) will need to be sophisticated users. Second is emphasize theory. Theory - the logical propositions that connect cause and effect - is a vital component of building scientific knowledge and is also vital to policy design and analysis. Therefore, students should understand the importance of theory and how theoretical claims are challenged and empirically tested. Third is learn by doing. Quantitative methods are best understood through application. Students at all levels should be required to find or collect data, determine the appropriate method to analyze that data, and be able to communicate the results. Finally, build good habits. Good habits in quantitative methods include proper data management, openness about assumptions and data limitations, and producing work that can easily be replicated. Additionally, the use of open-source tools is an important component of good habits.