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ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY RESEARCH METHODS |
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ENVR 772
Methods of Environmental Policy Analysis
Winter 2002
Monday, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Basic Course Information:
Instructor: Dr. Robert J. Brulle
Office Location: Nesbitt Building, Room 503
Office Hours Monday 4:00 - 6;00 P.M. or by appointment
Telephone: Office: (215) 895-2294
Email: brullerj@drexel.edu
Overview: This course focuses on the methods used in carrying out policy analyses. The aim of this course is to develop the student's capacity to conceptualize, design and conduct policy research. The course starts with a general overview of the logic from which policy research is conducted and the process by which a research design is developed. Both experimental and quasi-experimental research designs are examined. The course then focuses on the quantitative and qualitative methods that are used in carrying out policy research. Specific methods covered include secondary data analysis, survey research, content analysis, unobtrusive measures, network analysis, interviews, participant observation, and discourse analysis. The course concludes with a consideration of the preparation of the final report and presentation of research results.
Course Requirements:
1. Class Participation: The key to success for this course is active participation by all involved. What is sought is to develop a cooperative atmosphere of mutual learning. The class should be seen as the cumulative development of a group conversation. Active and meaningful participation in the class discussions is thus required. We want to be able to use the time together as a group to share and critique ideas. Accordingly, the students should use the time between classes to become conversant with the material. A key part in learning new ideas is through their use. Brief summaries of portions of the readings will be presented by students at each class meeting. These summaries will be assigned at the preceding class meeting. Each presentation should consist of brief description of ideas presented, and what the particular reading adds to the overall conversation in the course. In addition, the student should suggest some discussion questions for the class to consider. Participation in class will constitute 30% of the course grade.
2. Research Design: This course requires the development and presentation of a completed research design proposal. Based on the course material, each student will develop and present a research design on an environmental policy issue of their choice. Students will use the format specified in the NSF Grant Proposal Guide for a scientific study, (NSF 01-2 Addendum: June 2001 - available on the NSF Web Site) or the National Park Services "Guidelines for Study Proposals" (available on the web at http://science.nature.nps.gov/nps_permits/docs/study.doc). The length of the research design proposal will be between 12-15 typed pages, exclusive of references. The proposal will be presented in class on March 11, 2002. The final version is due at that time. The research design will constitute 70% of the course grade.
Readings: This course has three required texts as listed below. In addition, there are a number of readings available on electronic reserve.
1. Patton, Carl V., and Sawicki, David S. 1993 Basic Methods of Policy Analysis and Planning, Prentice Hall
2. Krippendorff, K. 1980, Content Analysis: An Introduction to Its Methodology, Sage
3. Rossi, Peter Henry,1993 Evaluation A Systematic Approach, 5th Edition, Sage
Course Schedule
Week 1 December 3, 2001 Course Overview/Literature Review Procedures
Week 2 January 7, 2002 Research Problem Definition
Rossi Chapters 1 and 2
Patton Chapter 4
Week 3 January 14, 2002 Framing the Research - Defining the Objectives and Questions
Patton Chapters 4, 6, and 9
Rossi Chapters 3 and 4
Week 4 January 28, 2002 Constructing a Research Design
Rossi Chapters 5, 6, and 7
Chapter 1 in Hoole, F.W., 1978, Evaluation Research and Development Activities
Recommended Reading: Cook and Campbell, 1979. Quasi-Experimentation
Week 5 February 4, 2002 Quantitative Methods: Secondary Data Analysis/Network Analysis
Secondary Data Analysis
Patton 74-96, 113-133
Network Analysis
Diani, Mario, 1992, Analyzing Social Movement Networks, in Diani and Eyerman (ed) Studying Collective
Action
Weeks 6 February 11, 2002 Quantitative Methods: Survey Research
Chapters 1 to 4 in Weisberg et. al. 1996, An Introduction to Survey Research, Polling, and Data Analysis,
Week 7 February 18, 2002 Qualitative Methods: Nonreactive Techniques
Content Analysis and Coding
Chapters 1-7, 10, 12, 13, 14 in Krippendorff, K. 1980, Content Analysis: An Introduction to Its
Methodology
Perreault and Lee 1989 Reliability of Nominal Data Based on Qualitative Judgments, Journal of
Marketing Research, #26, May, 135-148
Unobstrusive Measures
Chapters 2, 3, 4, and 5 in Webb et. al. 1966, Unobtrusive Measures
Weeks 8 February 25, 2002 Qualitative Methods: Discourse Analysis
Donati, Paolo, 1992, Political Discourse Analysis in Diani and Eyerman (ed) Studying Collective Action
Fine, Gary Allen, 1995, Public Narration and Group Culture: Discerning Discourse in Social Movements,
in Johnston and Klandermans (ed.) Social Movements and Culture
Week 9 March 4, 2002 Qualitative Methods: Participant Observation and Interviews
Patton 97- 105
Chapter 7, Social Research
Chapters 3 and 9 in Schwartz and Jacobs 1979, Qualitative Sociology
Week 10 March 11, 2002 Student Research Design Presentations
