Discussion Board Forum 1: Topic: Introduction to Research and Research Questions

Applying Course Concepts

Citing the required course readings for this week and at least 1 additional, peer-reviewed source (in addition to the Bible), address the following concepts:

• Research a current newspaper or popular-press magazine article that cites some sort of data. Explain how data support the message of the article. Would the article seem less authoritative without the data? Were the analyses descriptive or inferential? Provide a link to the article you discuss.
• Discuss why statistics is important to public policy.
• Based on the requirements laid out in O’Sullivan et al. Chapter 1, develop a research question in some area of public policy that interests you. Explain why your question meets the two criteria for a good research question.These questions are only a guide to your discussion, and while you should thoroughly answer them, you should also feel free to move beyond these questions in your discussion.

Research Topic

Review the list of possible research questions found here: PPOL505_Possible_Research_Questions.docx 

List, in order of preference, your top three research question choices from the list (do not simply list numbers — write out the questions).

Response

Respond to two of your classmates’ posts with additional research (scholarly sources), analysis, and citations to reflect upon their analysis efforts and provide helpful feedback.

Submit your thread by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Thursday of Module/Week 1, and submit your replies by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of Module/Week 1.