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Assisting Public Sector Decision Makers With Policy Analysis
  • Level Professional
  • Duration 16 hours
  • Course by University of Michigan
  • Offered by

About

Develop data analysis skills that support public sector decision-makers by performing policy analysis through all phases of the policymaking process. You will learn how to apply data analysis techniques to the core public sector principles of efficiency, effectiveness, and equity. Through authentic case studies and data sets, you will develop analytical skills commonly used to analyze and assess policies and programs, including policy options analysis, microsimulation modeling, and research designs for program and policy evaluation. You will also learn intermediate technical skills, such as Chi-squared tests and contingency tables, comparing samples through t-tests and ANOVA, applying Tukey's honest significant difference to correct for multiple tests, understanding p-values, and visualizing simulations of statistical functions to help answer questions policymakers ask such as “What should we do?” and “Did it work?” In addition, you will practice statistical testing and create ggplot visuals for two real-world datasets using the R programming language. All coursework is completed in RStudio in Coursera without the need to install additional software. This is the third of four courses within the Data Analytics in the Public Sector with R Specialization. The series is ideal for current or early career professionals working in the public sector looking to gain skills in analyzing public data effectively. It is also ideal for current data analytics professionals or students looking to enter the public sector.

Modules

Welcome to Assisting Public Sector Decision Makers Through Policy Analysis

    • 1 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • Meet Your Fellow Learners

1 Videos

  • Introduction to Course 3: Assisting Public Sector Decision Makers with Data and Policy Analysis

3 Readings

  • Course Syllabus
  • Course Glossary of Terms
  • Help Us Learn About You

RStudio Lab

    • 1 Lab
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1 Labs

  • RStudio Lab

What is Policy?

    • 4 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Policy Typology Knowledge Check

1 Discussions

  • Policy Typology Application

4 Videos

  • What is Policy and Why it Matters
  • Policy Typology
  • Facts About Public Policy
  • Policy Typology—Examples

Policy Making & Policy Analysis

    • 3 Videos
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3 Videos

  • The Policy Making Process
  • Policy Analysis: Definitions & Examples
  • Policy Analysis: Role of Data Analytics in the Policy Analysis

Week 1 Wrap-Up

    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Week 1 Quiz: Policy Frameworks & Types of Policy Analysis

1 Readings

  • Week 1 Optional Readings & Resources

Steps in a Policy Options Analysis

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Knowledge Check: Policy Options Analysis

2 Videos

  • Framework for Policy Options Analysis—Part 1
  • Framework for Policy Options Analysis—Part 2

Inferential Statistical Analysis in R

    • 5 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • t-Tests of Difference in Means: Practice & Knowledge Check

5 Videos

  • Introduction to Inferential Statistical Analysis in R
  • Chi-squared Tests of Association
  • t-Tests of Difference in Means
  • ANOVA Models
  • p-Values & Simulation

Week 2 Wrap-Up

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Week 2 Quiz: EDA & Inferential Statistical Analysis in R

Policy Microsimulation Modeling

    • 9 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Policy Microsimulation Modeling Knowledge Check

1 Discussions

  • Point on Discussion: Are simulation models useful?

9 Videos

  • Introduction to Policy Simulation Modeling
  • Examples of Policy Simulation Models
  • Economic Analysis in Simulation Modeling: Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Economic Analysis in Simulation Modeling: Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
  • Dealing with Uncertainty: Sensitivity Analysis
  • Example of Sensitivity Analysis to Deal with Uncertainty
  • Policy Microsimulation: What is a Compartmental Model?
  • A Basic Tobacco Control Compartment Model
  • Tobacco Control Compartmental Model: Menthol Cigarette Example

Week 3 Wrap-Up

    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Week 3 Quiz: Policy Microsimulation Modeling

1 Readings

  • Week 3 Optional Readings & Resources

The Basics of Policy & Program Evaluation

    • 3 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Program Evaluation Knowledge Check

3 Videos

  • What is Program Evaluation and Why it matters?
  • Types of Program Evaluation
  • Program Evaluation Framework

1 Readings

  • Raise Taxes on Tobacco

Fundamentals of Research Design—the Core of Program Evaluation

    • 4 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Research Design Knowledge Check

4 Videos

  • Focusing the Design and Gathering Credible Evidence
  • Example of a Research Design
  • Internal and External Validity: the Basics
  • Internal and External Validity: Examples

Research Designs for Program Evaluation

    • 4 Videos
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4 Videos

  • Common Research Designs for Evaluation In Public Sector
  • Experimental Designs
  • Examples of Randomized-Controlled Trials (RCTs) of Public Programs
  • Coming Up Next: The DC Garbage Can Case Study

Worked Example: DC Garbage Can Intervention

    • 3 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • The DC Garbage Can Intervention: Practice & Knowledge Check

3 Videos

  • The DC Garbage Can Intervention: Data Analysis
  • The DC Garbage Can Intervention: Joining Data
  • The DC Garbage Can Intervention: Wrap-Up

Week 4 Wrap-Up

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Week 4 Quiz: Program/Policy Evaluation

1 Videos

  • One More Thing For This Week: Random Assignment vs Random Selection

1 Readings

  • Week 4 Optional Readings & Resources

What are Quasi-Experimental Designs?

    • 5 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Quasi Experimental Designs Knowledge Check

5 Videos

  • Quasi Experimental Designs
  • The Basics of Time-Series Design
  • Time-Series Design: Examples
  • Coming Up Next: The Sicily Smoking Ban Case Study
  • The Sicily Smoking Ban Case Study: A Worked Example of Epidemiology

Week 5 Wrap-Up

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Congratulations on Completing the Course!

2 Readings

  • Week 5 Optional Readings & Resources
  • Post- Course Survey

Auto Summary

Enhance your data analysis capabilities to support public sector decision-making with this course focused on policy analysis. Learn to apply efficiency, effectiveness, and equity principles using techniques like policy options analysis, microsimulation modeling, and more. Gain intermediate technical skills in statistical testing and visualization using R and RStudio. Ideal for public sector professionals and data analysts, this course is part of the Data Analytics in the Public Sector with R Specialization. Offered by Coursera, it spans 960 minutes with Starter and Professional subscription options.

Christopher Brooks
Instructors

Christopher Brooks

Paula Lantz
Instructors

Paula Lantz