Elementary Statistics for Public Administration: An Applied Perspective

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.

Table of Contents:
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.

About the Author :
Daniel S. Scheller is Associate Professor of Public Administration and Director of the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program in the Department of Political Science at Texas Tech University, USA. His research interests are in urban policy, neighborhood development, housing, and civic participation.

Review :
'Daniel Scheller's Elementary Statistics for Public Administration is the long-awaited successor to Meier and Brudney's Applied Statistics for Public Administration. Perfectly pitched to MPA and MPP students, this textbook walks students through research design, measurement, and data collection with many relevant examples for public administrators and presents the full panoply of statistical techniques and tests including central tendency and dispersion, ANOVA, Chi-square and Wilcoxon tests, bivariate and multivariate regression models, and, for the more ambitious student, logistic regression. At every juncture, Scheller shows students how to perform statistical tests with R Commander, the most user-friendly version of R available today, and provides students with datasets on which to practice their newly acquired skills. Of particular note is the emphasis on graphs, charts, and data visualization - all critical skills for today's public administrator. I recommend this book highly for students of public and nonprofit administration, urban affairs and planning, and public policy more broadly.' Jonathan Engel, The City University of New York 'Elementary Statistics for Public Administration is an invaluable resource for students and teachers of public administration. This textbook seamlessly integrates elementary statistical theory with practical application using R Commander. Its focus on public administration examples adds real-world relevance and practicality for current or aspiring public officials seeking to enhance their statistical skills in today's data-driven world.' Eva Marín Hlynsdóttir, University of Iceland 'This is an exceptional textbook that ties together research methodology in a way that is accessible to both students and practitioners. The book is well organized and thorough in its coverage, and I appreciate the care the author takes in demonstrating how to conduct research using R Commander which can seem intimidating to many students. I would highly recommend this textbook to faculty and would use this resource in my own courses at the graduate level.' Thaddieus Conner, New Mexico State University '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