HBS 101: Research and Science

Public Policy Research

The scientific study of the development, analysis, and evaluation of government actions and decisions (or failure to do so).

It involves the processes by which problems are identified, policies are formulated, implemented, and assessed, with a focus on achieving public goals and addressing societal issues.

specific phenomena

• In academia/research, we are about examining the determinants of “specific phenomena” —> Phenomena we are trying to explain is referred to as the dependent variable (DV): “Y”

• The factor that explains variation in the DV is the independent variable: “X”

Covariation

• We often care what is driving something, not just what it looks like (what explains variation in DV/Y?)

• Functionally described as X —> Y

Steps to examining covariation

1. Recognize what phenomena you are trying to explain —> understanding covariation in Y

2. Develop an explanation (theory) to what drives variation in Y —> provide a testable hypothesis

3. Develop a research design that guides data collection process —> Recognize and hedge against threats to causation

4. Isolate measurement of DV and IV (examine each variable separately)

5. Leverage analytical techniques to examine covariation between X and Y

6. Draw conclusions based on analysis