Elementary Statistics for Public Administration
An Applied Perspective

With a focus on R Commander, this textbook demystifies statistics and statistical software for undergraduate and graduate students.

Daniel S. Scheller (Author)

9781009439947, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 12 September 2024

414 pages
26 x 18.3 x 2.7 cm, 1 kg

'With this textbook, education in Public Administration finally has a solid basic work regarding quantitative methods. Students and instructors find guidance concerning analysis of quantitative data and Scheller emphasizes the logic behind establishing a basic research design and good data collection practices. Statistical techniques are systematically introduced in a logical manner allowing students to become familiar with the primary analysis techniques in Public Administration. An advantage of this textbook is the integration of an accessible introduction to using R as statistical software via R commander. This helps to overcome a hurdle for many students in mastering basic data analysis skills. Incorporating numerous databases from the political-administrative reality, students gain a practical understanding of their field. The inclusion of documentation for those using STATA and SPSS in the companion site is a significant asset. In short, this is an indispensable guide to familiarize students in public administration with quantitative data analysis.' Dries Verlet, Ghent University, Belgium

Taking a simplified approach to statistics, this textbook teaches students the skills required to conduct and understand quantitative research. It provides basic mathematical instruction without compromising on analytical rigor, covering the essentials of research design; descriptive statistics; data visualization; and statistical tests including t-tests, chi-squares, ANOVAs, Wilcoxon tests, OLS regression, and logistic regression. Step-by-step instructions with screenshots are used to help students master the use of the freely accessible software R Commander. Ancillary resources include a solutions manual and figure files for instructors, and datasets and further guidance on using STATA and SPSS for students. Packed with examples and drawing on real-world data, this is an invaluable textbook for both undergraduate and graduate students in public administration and political science.

1. Introduction
2. Basic Research Design
3. Measurement
4. Good Data Collection
5. R Software and the R Commander
6. Central Tendency
7. Dispersion
8. Data Visualization
9. Sampling and Inference
10. T-Tests
11. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
12. Chi-Square
13. Ordinal Dependent Variables
14. Bivariate Regression
15. Multivariate Regression
16. Regression Assumptions
17. Interactive Relationships and Interaction Terms in Regression
18. Logistic Regression.

Subject Areas: Social research & statistics [JHBC]