Analytical Techniques for Public Service is a two-quarter core program for second year MPA students. Each quarter focuses on specific approaches to applied research in tribal governments and Indigenous communities. Tribal administration is public administration. Our goal is to practice research design and analysis with Indigeneity.
The learning objectives for fall quarter include:
- Understanding Indigenous research methodologies and why we do research.
- Developing awareness of the intentions and consequences of mixed methodologies and case study research designs.
- Understanding how various practices of research can be used to maintain the status quo or promote change for our communities.
- Understanding various critiques of research as a healthy skeptic.
- Becoming an ethical producer and consumer of research through culturally relevant practices.
In the fall quarter, we will respond to questions of research design:
1) What are Indigenous Knowledge frameworks and paradigms of social science?
2) What are ethical considerations in research with Indigenous communities and tribal governments?
3) How are research and data sovereignty practiced within tribal governments?
4) How are research projects designed?
This course meets in a weekend intensive format.