Research has powerful potential to inform public policy at the local, state, and federal level, but it is important that researchers design their projects with this end in sight. Policy researchers have access to a variety of methodological tools and can integrate qualitative and quantitative data in pragmatic ways to answer important research questions.

The primary purpose of this course is thus to provide students the conceptual and methodological foundation necessary to Identify when a mixed methods inquiry is appropriate for your research endeavor, and design a strong mixed methods study in which ‘quantitative’ and ‘qualitative’ data are integrated intentionally toward broader insights with implications for public policy.