To make this happen, un the first week of class students will identify an empirical research question. With the instructor's assistance each student will select a dataset they will use to address their empirical research question. Throughout the semester, students will complete problem sets using their dataset, coming to know their data, learning different statistical techniques and their appropriate use and interpretation. The final assignment is to write a paper using the statistical techniques of the course to address the empirical research question.

This is an applied course. As such, during lectures and discussion several techniques will be demonstrated. The primary source for these techniques will be class meetings; consequently, attendance at every class meeting is mandatory. At the same time, the readings will be generally light, and may not document every important aspect of the applications that are covered. This observation, of course, does not include the additional reading each student will need to do to understand their empirical research question enough to complete the final paper.