Abstract
A number of articles have been written on how useful microcomputers can be for teaching social science research methods, which generally means statistical analysis. Microcomputers are useful for that purpose because students can quickly obtain output from archived data or inputted data and then experiment with changing the inputs and the procedures to gain insights as to the effects and meaning of various aspects of statistical analysis’. That can be done while the instructor lectures, explains, and discusses what is or should be happening. Microcomputers can also be used by students for organizing data, drafting reports, retrieving information, and interacting with other people. It is the purpose of this chapter to describe a way in which microcomputers can be used to teach public policy substance, rather than methods or office practice, especially where the substance involves controversial issues.1
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Notes and References
On Using Microcomputers as a teaching tool, see Kenneth Kraemer, “Curriculum Recommendations for Computers in Public Management Education” ( Washington, D.C.: NASPAA, 1984 );
Herbert F. Weisberg, “Microcomputers in Political Science”, News for Teachers of Political Science, 1 (Summer 1983 );
Fiona Chen, “Teaching Computer Application in Public Administration”, Eastern Washington University, School of Public Affairs (1984);
and S. Nagel, “Microcomputers and Public Policy Analysis”, in Don Calista (ed.), Microcomputers and Public Productivity (Special issue of the Public Productivity Review, 1985 ).
On the P/G% software, see Benjamin Radcliff, “Comparing Multiple Criteria Decision-Making Programs”, Social Science Microcomputer Review, 4 (1986);
S. Nagel, “P/G% Analysis: A Decision-Aiding Program”, Social Science Microcomputer Review, 3: 243 (1985);
and S. Nagel, Microcomputers, Evaluation Problems, and Policy Analysis ( Beverly Hills, Calif.: Sage, 1986 ).
Background material exists on teaching from a perspective of societal goals to be achieved, policy alternatives for achieving them, and relations between goals and alternatives in order to choose the best alternative, combination, or allocation. See, for example, the opening chapter to S. Nagel, Public Policy: Goals, Means and Methods ( New York: St Martin’s Press, 1984 )
and the Instructor’s Manual which accompanies that book. Also see S. Nagel, “Using Microcomputers and P/G% for Teaching Policy Analysis and Public Policy”, in Peter Bergerson and Brian Nedwek (eds), Teaching Public Administration ( Program in Public Policy Analysis and Administration: St Louis University, 1985 ).
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© 1991 Policy Studies Organisation
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Nagel, S.S. (1991). Teaching With Microcomputers. In: Decision-Aiding Software. Policy Studies Organization Series. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-11657-7_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-11657-7_5
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
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