1. How to Effectively Teach Applied Statistics to MPA Students?
Yahong Zhang, PhD
Associate Professor
Rutgers University-Newark

2. The Facts/Challenges
Applied statistics (or whatever you call in your program) is one of the most challenging courses for students.
Fear due to weak mathematics background. Many students try to postpone taking it.
Unfamiliar language, including abstract concepts, technical terms, and “strange” wordings
It is required and import.
NASPAA recommends. Needed skills in big data era
Evidence-based decision making by public managers: abilities to collect information, identify useful information, and analyze information.
Students may not recognize the importance of the course.
Very likely to receive low teaching evaluation scores from students.

3. What Should We Do? … More practically, we may do these…
Principles
Help students develop confidence with statistics.
Stimulate students’ interest in using statistics.
Make grading more transparent and fair. …
More practically, we may do these…

4. Something to do beforehand
SPAA requires MPA students take applied statistics no later than the second semester
To leave students the flexibility of retaking it.
To relieve some frustration.
I recommend conducting diagnostic test on arithmetic and algebra skills in the first class meeting
To identify students who need extra help.
To help students understand their challenges.
To encourage (force) them to work harder.

5. Somethings fundamental
Basic concepts need to be clearly explained, although this is overlooked in textbooks.
Such as dataset, case (analysis unit, observation), variable, value, measurement level, measurement unit, modeling
Basic logics should be clearly demonstrated – we use statistics for good reasons
The purpose is to find general pattern and to test hypotheses/theory.
A large sample is used to generalize a phenomenon.
Measurement should be consistent and comparable.
Measurement and modeling are processes of simplification.
Analysis results should be interpreted in a conservative and accurate way (e.g., the use of p value).

6. Somethings fundamental
The tangled needs to be untangled. Examples:
Correlation coefficient vs. regression coefficient
T test in correlation, regression, or mean comparison?
Chi square in contingency table or model fit test?
Use real data and examples in PA for teaching
Select a textbook with PA context
Force students to practice more with analytical skills
7 quizzes a semester
A comprehensive research project with real data at the end for students to apply methods to address questions in real world

7. Other Thoughts Class engagement
Appropriate (useful but less complicated) software programs for data management and analysis
Be patient and encouraging all the time

8. Thanks!