Introduction to Data Analysis for Social Impact

Catalog description

In today’s fast-paced world, practitioners, leaders, and researchers must stay connected with the latest cutting-edge research in their fields. This course is your gateway to understanding the quantitative methods that drive social impact research. Through hands-on, lab-based activities, you’ll gain both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to analyze real-world data. We’ll explore the dynamics of individual participation in the nonprofit sector, focusing on activities like charitable giving and volunteering. This course is all about getting you comfortable with the nuts and bolts of handling and analyzing quantitative survey data. We’ll start with the basics—understanding statistical principles and using descriptive and exploratory methods to make sense of data. Then, we’ll dive into more advanced techniques like OLS regression and logistic regression, all within the user-friendly environment of STATA. Along the way, you’ll also tackle big-picture topics like theory testing, the philosophy of science, and the importance of replication in research. Whether you’re looking to engage with existing social impact research or make your own original contributions, this course has something for you. And don’t worry—no prior experience with statistics or programming is required. Just bring your curiosity, and by the end of the course, you’ll be equipped to make data-driven decisions that can truly make a difference.