Essex Summer School in
Social Science Data Analysis

Kevin Smith

Kevin Smith is Professor of Political Science, University of Lincoln-Nebraska. He has published extensively in the areas of public policy theory, methods and analysis. He is the author or co-author of nine books, including The Public Policy Theory Primer, Governing States and Localities, The Case Against School Choice and The Ideology of Education.

1J Methods for Evaluation Research

Kevin Smith, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
8 - 19 July (two week course / 35 hrs)

Detailed Course Outline [PDF]

Course Content

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the logic and methods of evaluation research and policy analysis. This includes an introduction to basic assumptions and frameworks., coverage of some of the primary quantitative techniques, and the process of making prescriptive inferences. The heart of the course is an examination of mainstream approaches to ex ante policy analysis (cost analysis techniques) and ex post policy analysis (impact analysis, or regression based programme evaluation). Students will have a chance to apply these techniques to ‘real world’ policy problems.

Course Objectives

Professional policy analysis is mostly about trying to answer two questions: What should we do? What have we done? This course aims to provide participants with the basic skills necessary to answer those questions systematically and to communicate those answers effectively.

Course Prerequisites

Participants should have some background in statistics, but no extensive knowledge of quantitative methods is assumed. A basic grasp of ordinary least squares regression, however, is essential.

Remedial Reading

Miles J. and Mark Shevlin, 2001. Applying Regression & Correlation. Sage.

Representative Reading

Mohr, L. 1995. Impact Analysis for Program Evaluation. Sage.

Levin, H. M., and McEwan, P.J. 2001. Cost-Effectiveness Analysis. Sage.