UAP5494: Advanced Quantitative Techniques Used in Urban Analysis

Urban Affairs and Planning
Dr. Tom Sanchez

Course Hours

Tuesdays 4.15-6.30pm

Course Overview

This seminar introduces several advanced quantitative research methods. The objective is to provide students with exposure to these methods; focusing on assumptions, application, and interpretation. In addition, the course is oriented toward dissertation research activities and preparation of an article suitable for publication in an academic journal.

Grading

• 30% Critique/Reviews: For the scheduled topic, each person will locate an article that illustrates the particular method and post it to Blackboard. Each person will then prepare a 2-3 page summary of their article. Each summary will then be posted to Blackboard. A 2-3 page critique/review of each article and summary will be prepared, synthesizing, comparing, and contrasting the articles. Seminar discussions will focus on the critique/reviews. The summaries should comment on each of the following:
  • Problem statement.
  • Literature review.
  • Research design and data analysis methodology.
  • Results and findings.
  • Interpretation and conclusions.
• 70% Research Paper and Presentation.

Outline for the Research Paper

1. Introduction (the context of the study)
   The study may originate as a planning issue/problem of interest to you or as an inference from a theory or previous studies within planning. Briefly state your general research questions or hypotheses in this introduction.

2. The significance of the study (could be combined with Part I)
   What is the significance of the study? Why do you think it’s important? The fact that you are interested in this research is usually not enough. A study should be important in terms of its implications for associated problems, theories or debates. You must argue for why your proposed study is important in terms of gaps in previous knowledge or the need for new information to address problems or debates.

3. Related studies (literature review)
   Related studies should be cited; it’s your scholarly obligation. Use any standard stylebook or journal style in citing literature. Present a concise, thorough review of recent literature. Don’t just list related studies. Group studies on the basis of their findings where possible. Use general synthesizing statements to summarize the findings of related studies rather than describing these findings study by study. Be sure to include a complete bibliography or reference list after the text of the paper and before any attached tables, figures or appendices.

4. Research questions/hypotheses narrowed down and restated
   Most problems turn out to be programs. You don’t have the time or funding to do a whole program of research. You must narrow down the field to some starting point that is not too ambitious. State your specific hypotheses or research questions. These should flow logically from Parts I-III.

5. Methods
   Give an exact, detailed description of the methods you used to tackle your research problem, including questionnaires (for surveys and experiments) or codebooks (for content analyses). Ideally, another person who wants to replicate your study should be able to do so after reading this section.

6. Findings
   Present your findings clearly and concisely. Answer your research questions or address your hypotheses in order. Use tables or figures when they will help clarify the presentation. Include SPSS (or other statistical package) output in an Appendix to the paper, including the final frequencies of all variables used in your analyses.

7. Summary and conclusions
   Summarize the findings concisely and discuss how they fit with the other related studies you’ve cited earlier in the paper. Conclude with what you think your findings contribute to knowledge or theory about mass communication, and what still needs to be studied.

8. Bibliography or Reference List
   Don’t forget this. Make sure that all references mentioned in the text are included in this list.

Basic Bibliography

• E. R. Babbie, The Practice of Social Research, Wadsworth Publishing, 10th edition 2003.
• A. Field, Discovering Statistics Using SPSS, SAGE Publications Ltd, 2nd edition 2005.
• L. G. Grimm and P. R. Yarnold, Reading and Understanding Multivariate Statistics, American Psychological Association, 1995.
• S. B. Green, N. J. Salkind et al., Using SPSS for Windows: Analyzing and Understanding Data, Prentice Hall, 2nd edition 1999.
• J. F. Hair, B. Black et al., Multivariate Data Analysis, Prentice Hall, 6th edition 2005

Additional Bibliography

• StatSoft Electronic Textbook
• HyperStat Online Textbook
• Introductory Statistics
• Other reading on VT Blackboard.

Published by Julián Urbano on January 1 of 2007

UAP5224: Quantitative Techniques in Planning

Urban Affairs and Planning
Dr. Kris Wernstedt

Course Hours

Mondays 7.00-9.45pm

Course Overview

This subject —also sometimes confusingly called Research Methods in Planning and Policy— is an introductory course in planning-analytic methods. It aims to use common data sources to expose students to a range of quantitative methods that planners may use in their work and, importantly, to the nitty gritty of interpreting results yielded by the application of these methods.

The class features lectures, in-class demonstrations and assignments, and out-of class assignments, both individual and group.

Material surveyed covers a wide variety of methodological approaches —statistics, cost-benefit analysis, project evaluation, economic base modeling, and decision analysis, among others— with the plurality of course time on statistics.

Grading

• 10% Problem Sets: 2 sets of problems at 3% for 1st set and 7% for 2nd set, both individual assignments.
• 30% Project Assignments: 3 assignments at 10% for each assignment, with 1 being individual and 2 being either individual or group as preferred.
• 20% Class Study: class project report with oral presentations and written report.
• 30% Final Project: long-term individual project with 1-page proposal and oral presentation.
• 10% Class Participation: showing up and fighting comatose leanings is part of it, actively participating is the other.

Basic Bibliography

• J. M. Kenneth, L. B. Jeffrey and J. Bohte, Applied Statistics for Public andNonprofit Administration, Wadsworth Publishing, 6th edition 2005.
• Other reading on VT Blackboard.

Additional Bibliography

• B. Dretzke, Statistics with Microsoft Excel, Prentice Hall, 3rd edition 2004.
• G. Blake and R. W. Bly, The Elements of Technical Writing, Longman, 2000.

Students are also requested to acquire a pocket calculator (cheap and cheesy is fine).

Published by Julián Urbano on January 1 of 2007

PAPA6224: Public Policy Design and Implementation

School of Public & International Affairs
Dr. Matthew Dull

Course Hours

Wednesdays 6.30-9.15pm

Course Overview

This course examines the theory and practice of public policy design and decision-making. The course combines an introduction to the basic tools of policy analysis with consideration of the conflicting values and decision-dilemmas that define policy-making in the real world. Students will be asked to complete a handful of written assignments based on course readings, participate regularly in class discussions, and contribute to a group project examining one of a handful of applied policy issues in depth. Prerequisites for this course include completion of PAPA 6214, 6514, and an undergraduate or graduate introductory statistics course.

Grading

• 30% Take Home Essays: two essays to deliver, each 15% worthy.
• 20% Section Briefs: 5 briefs in total.
• 35% Group Project.
• 15% Course Contribution.

Course Components

Coursework is organized into two components:

1. A series of written assignments based on course material.
2. A semester-long team project examining one of a handful of policy issues.

Below are brief descriptions of each –additional details will be provided in class:

• Section Briefs: participants will complete a minimum of five 300-600 word section briefs responding to topics identified in the course syllabus. Briefs should be concise, but based on a thoughtful reading of the material in question. Briefs should be circulated among course participants on Blackboard no less than 24 hours prior to class.
• Take Home Essays: course participants will complete two take-home essays synthesizing course material. Essay questions will be distributed via Blackboard and are to be completed by each student individually over the course of week. Time and page limits will be observed
• Team Projects: a handful of teams will be organized around distinct policy questions. that sheds light on the policy issue at hand. I expect to meet regularly with teams to discuss the project’s continuing progress. Additional details regarding the group projects will be address in class.

Basic Bibliography

• E. Bardach, A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis: The Eightfold Path to More Effective Problem Solving, CQ Press, 2nd edition, 2004.
• R. S. Clemons, M. K. McBeth et. al., Public Policy Praxis: Theory and Pragmatism, Prentice Hall, 2000.
• J. G. March, Primer on Decision Making: How Decisions Happen, Free Press, 1994.
• A. L. Schneider and H. M. Ingram, Policy Design for Democracy, University Press of Kansas, 1997.
• Other reading on VT Blackboard.

Additional Bibliography

Policy Analysis:

• M. C. Munger, Analyzing Policy: Choices, Conflicts, and Practices, W. W. Norton & Company, 2000.
• E. Stokey, A Primer for Policy Analysis, W. W. Norton & Company, 1978.
• D. L. Weimer and A. R. Vining, Policy Analysis: Concepts and Practice, Prentice Hall, 2004.

Introductory Quantitative Analysis:

• K. J. Meier, J. L. Brudney and J. Bohte, Applied Statistics for Public and Nonprofit Administration, Wadsworth Publishing, 6th edition, 2005.
• D. S. Moore and G. P. McCabe, Introduction to the Practice of Statistics, W. H. Freeman & Company, 5th edition, 2005.
• W. P. Shively, The Craft of Political Research, Ginny6 Books, 4th edition, 1998.

Intermediate Quantitative Analysis:

• L. G. Grimm and P. R. Yarnold, Reading and Understanding Multivariate Statistics, American Psychological Association, 1995.
• D. N. Gujarati, Basic Econometrics, McGraw Hill, 4th edition, 2002.

Budget Policy:

• A. Schick and F. LoStracco, The Federal Budget: Politics, Policy, Process, Brookings Institution Press, 2000.
• A. B. Wildavsky and N. Caiden, The New Politics of the Budgetary Process, Longman, 5th edition, 2003.

Policies and Governance:

• L. M. Salamon and O. V. Elliott, The Tools of Government: a Guide to the New Governance, Oxford University Press, 2002.
• K. M. Hult and C. Walcott, Governing Public Organizations, Brooks/Cole, 1990.
• J. G. S. Koppell, The Politics of Quasi-Government: Hybrid Organizations and the Dynamics of Bureaucratic Control, Cambridge University Press, 2003.

Information and Decision:

• G. T. Allison and P. Zelikow, Essence of Decision: Explaining the Cuban Missile Crisis, Longman, 2nd edition, 1999.
• J. S. Brown and P. Duguid, The Social Life of Information, Harvard Business School Press, 2000.
• M. S. Feldman, Order Without Design: Information Production and Policy Making, Stanford University Press, 1989.
• M. Lewis, Moneyball: the Art of Winning an Unfair Game, W. W. Norton & Company, 2003.
• T. M. Porter, Trust in Numbers: the Pursuit of Objectivity in Science and Public Life, Princeton University Press, 1996.

Published by Julián Urbano on January 1 of 2007

HIST5984: Oral History Theroy, Method & Practice

History Department
Dr. Beverly Bunch-Lyons

Course Hours

Thursdays 7.00-9.45pm

Course Overview

This course introduces you to oral history as a significant qualitative research method. You will learn the methodological techniques of the craft, special characteristics, and uses. While the emphasis is on practice, we will also explore theoretical, legal, and ethical issues. Each student will engage in a research project that entails the entire process of oral history from beginning to end. You will conceptualize your project, conduct the research and interviews, transcribe, edit, and evaluate your work.

Grading

• 25% Reading Analysis Notes: 2-3 page critique of specific reading assignments.
• 12.5% Discussion Facilitator: one 30 minute presentation of weekly reading.
• 12.5% Participation: course preparation and active participation.
• 25% Research Project Components.
• 25% Final Project.

Research Project Components

1. Project Description: write a 1-2 page description of your research project.
2. Interview Questions: prepare and present a list of the questions you intend to ask your interviewees (we will review these in class).
3. Critique: write a one-page critique of the in-class interview you received.
4. Transcription: transcribe 10 minutes of one of the interviews you conducted for your research project.
5. Annotated Bibliography: compile a list of the sources you intend to use for your research project.

Final Project

Choose a topic that is of interest to you. After preliminary research write a brief description (1-2 pages) of the topic you intend to research. Conduct a literature review of primary and secondary sources on your topic and create a working annotated bibliography. Identify a minimum of three possible individuals to interview about your topic. These interviews will form the basis of the work you perform in the course.

Your final research project should be 12-15 pages in length, and incorporate the interviews you conducted.

Bibliography

The following books can be used along the course:

• S. Berger, Sherna and P. Daphne, Women’s Words: The Feminist Practice of Oral History, Routledge, 1991.
• K. C. Charmaz, Constructing Grounded Theory: A Practical Guide Through Qualitative Analysis, Sage Publication Ltd., 2006.
• D. A. Ritchie, Doing Oral History, Oxford University Press, 2nd edition, 2003.
• C. Thomas, Handbook of Oral History, AltaMira Press, 2006.
• P. Thompson, Voice of the Past, Oxford University Press, 3rd edition, 2000.

as well as the following articles:

• Evidence, Empathy and Ethics: Lessons from Oral History of the Klan, Journal of American History, Vol. 80, No.2 (September, 1993), pp 596-606.
• Oral History and the History of the Civil Rights Movement, Journal of American History, Vol. 75, No. 2 (September, 1988).
• Power and Memory in Oral History, Journal Of American History, Vol. 75, No. 4 (March 1989), pp 1201-1221.
• Videohistory: Focusing on the American Past, The Journal of American History, Vol. 80, No.2 (September 1991), pp 618-627.

Published by Julián Urbano on January 1 of 2007

An Interdisciplinary and Team-Taught Research Class

• CS5014: Research Methods in Computer Science
  Computer Science Department
  Dr. Bill Frakes

• EDRE6794: Research Methods in Information Technology
  Educational Research Program, School of Education
  Dr. Gabriella Belli

Course Hours

Thursdays 7.00-9.45pm

Course Overview

This course interweaves three distinct themes:

• Acculturation into the research process, which includes an understanding of what researchers do, and the philosophy and ethics related to how they do it.

• Proficiency at communications, especially technical writing.

• Proficiency at designing studies and evaluating published studies and their results. These themes will initially be considered primarily from the perspective of researchers in computer science and in education. We will explore different ways of addressing research questions and examine how different operationalizations of a question could lead to different research designs and/or different analyses. A project driven course, students will be expected to delve into their own literature to examine and profile prevalent research methods and to critique published works.

Grading

• 55% Midterm.
• 40% Project.
• 5% Class participation.

The midterm and projects are subject to the Virginia Tech Honors System.

Course Projects

Proposals should have a 1-2 page abstract, an outline, and a list of key annotated references. Presentations should be 30 minutes long.

Some possible topics for the project might be:

• Do a study of some aspect of software production.
• Quasi-experimentation.
• Software Measurement.
• Visual presentation of data.
• Critique several experimental studies in some area of Computer Science.
• Data gathering.
• Relation of Experimental Methods to Quality Improvement.
• Statistical computing.
• Taguchi experimental design methods.
• Artificial Intelligence Research.
• Research on computing hardware.
• Co-citation analysis.

Basic Bibliography

• J. Katzer, K. Cook and W. Crouch, Evaluating Information: A Guide for Users of Social Science Research, McGraw-Hill, 4th edition 1997.
• J. Verzani, SimpleR: Using R for Introductory Statistics.
• W. Zinsser, On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction, Harper Resource, 2001.

Additional Bibliography

• ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
• ACM Turing Award Lectures: The First Twenty Years 1966-1985, Addison Wesley Professional, 1991.
• Collected algorithms of the ACM.
• T. Demarco and T. Lister, Peopleware: Productive Projects and Teams, Dorset House, 2nd edition 1987.
• N. Fenton, Software Metrics: a Rigorous Approach, Course Technology, 2nd edition 1998.
• R. Feynman, Feynman Lectures on Computation, Perseus Books, 2000.
• R. Feynman, The Character of Physical Law, Modern Library, Modern Library, 1994.
• R. Feynman, Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!: Adventures of a Curious Character, W. W. Norton & Company, 1997.
• P. Fussell, Thank God for the Atom Bomb and Other Essays, Summit Books, 1988.
• M. Gardner, Fads and Fallacies in the Name of Science, Dover Publications, 2nd edition, 1957.
• N. Goldberg, Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within, Shambhala, 1998.
• L. Gonick and W. Smith, The Cartoon Guide to Statistics, Harper-Collins, 1994.
• R. B. Grady, Practical Software Metrics for Project Management and Process Improvement, Prentice Hall, 1992.
• P. Langley, H. A. Simon et. al., Scientific Discovery: Computational Explorations of the Creative Processes, MIT Press, 1987.
• W. May, Edges of Reality: Mind Vs Computer, Insight Books, 1996.
• H. Simon, Models of My Life, MIT Press, 1996.
• H. Simon, The Sciences of the Artificial, MIT Press, 3rd edition 1996.
• E. R. Tufte, The Visual Display of Quantitative Information, Graphics Press, 1992.
• J. D. Watson, The Double Helix: A Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure of DNA, Touchstone, 2001.

Published by Julián Urbano on January 1 of 2007