Associate Professor of Information
Politics and Ethics of Data Analytics in the Public Sector
What You'll Learn
- Explore common ethical challenges associated with data, data analytics, and randomized controlled trials in the public sector
- Understand the ethical issues related to data systems and data analysis by understanding frameworks, codes of ethics, and professional guidelines
- Conduct an applied policy options analysis using authentic data from a real-world case study
3 Modules
12 Hours
4 hrs per module (approx.)
Rating
About Politics and Ethics of Data Analytics in the Public Sector
Deepen your understanding of the power and politics of data in the public sector, including how values — in addition to data and evidence — are always part of public sector decision-making. In this course, you will explore common ethical challenges associated with data, data analytics, and randomized controlled trials in the public sector. You will also navigate and understand the ethical issues related to data systems and data analysis by understanding frameworks, codes of ethics, and professional guidelines. Using two technical case studies, you will understand common ethical issues, including participation bias in populations and how slicing analysis is used to identify bias in predictive machine learning models. This course also serves as a capstone experience for the Data Analytics in the Public Sector with R Specialization, where you will conduct an applied policy options analysis using authentic data from a real-world case study. In this capstone exercise, you will review data as part of policy options analysis, create a visualization of the results, and make a recommendation.
All coursework is completed in RStudio in Coursera without the need to install additional software.
This is the fourth and final course within the Data Analytics in the Public Sector with R Specialization. The series is ideal for current or early-career professionals working in the public sector looking to gain skills in analyzing public data effectively. It is also ideal for current data analytics professionals or students looking to enter the public sector.
Skills You'll Gain
- Case Study
- Data Analysis
- Data Ethics
- Policy Analysis
- Public Administration
- Public Policy Research
- RStudio
What You'll Earn
- Certificate of Completion:
- Certificates of completion acknowledge knowledge acquired upon completion of a non-credit course or program.
Welcome Message
Welcome to Politics and Ethics of Data Analytics in the Public Sector, the final course in the Data Analytics in the Public Sector certificate. Learners examine ethical, political, and social implications of data use while applying analytic skills to real public policy contexts.
This abbreviated syllabus description was created with the help of AI tools and reviewed by staff. The full syllabus is available to those who enroll in the course.
Course Schedule
Module 1: The Power and Politics of Data
- Video: Introduction to Course 4: The Politics of Data in the Public Sector
- Reading: Course Syllabus
- Reading: Course Glossary
- Discussion Prompt: Meet Your Fellow Learners
- Reading: Help Us Learn About You
- Video: Review of Politics/Ethics
- Video: Terminology: Politics, Values, and Ethics
- Reading: Required Reading: A Primer on Powerful Numbers
- Video: Why Ethics for Data Analytics Matter
- Video: Examples of Ethics Situations for Data Analytics
- Discussion Prompt: Ethical Situations for Data Analytics
- Video: The Tenets of the United States Data Ethics Framework
- Ungraded Lab: RStudio Lab
- Reading: Optional Readings: The Power and Politics of Data
- Video: One More Thing for this Week: 8 Principles of Open Government Data
- Graded: Week 1 Quiz: The Power and Politics of Data
Module 2: Professional Ethics for Data Analysts
- Video: Measuring Population Bias
- Video: Measuring Population Bias: The Study
- Video: Measuring Population Bias: The Results
- Discussion Prompt: Social Issues Impact on Populations
- Video: Ethical issues in RCTs
- Video: Ethical issues in RCTs: Shadow Interventions
- Ungraded Lab: R Code and .rmd File for Videos Ahead
- Video: Considering Model Bias
- Video: Measuring and Detecting Bias in Machine Learning Algorithms
- Video: Measuring Model Bias with Slicing
- Discussion Prompt: Social Issues Impact on Populations
- Video: Common Ethical Issues in Policy Analysis
- Video: Professional Ethics: Responding to Challenges
- Video: Professional Ethics: Example of a Responding to Challenges
- Video: Cancer Staging System Wisconsin Case Study
- Discussion Prompt: Reflecting on the Cancer Staging System Wisconsin Case Study
- Reading: Week 2 Optional Readings & Resources
- Graded: Week 2 Quiz: Professional Ethics for Data Analysts
Module 3: Bringing it All Together in a Case Study
- Reading: Mexico Case Study “Pensions for the Poor”
- Video: Case Study: Providing Pensions for the Poor in Mexico (Part 1)
- Video: Case Study: Providing Pensions for the Poor in Mexico (Part 2)
- Video: Case Study: Providing Pensions for the Poor in Mexico (Part 3)
- Reading: Capstone Assignment Instructions
- Reading: Pensions for the Poor in Mexico: Case Study Debrief
- Video: Congratulations on Earning the Data Analytics in the Public Sector Certificate
- Reading: Post Series Survey
- Graded: Submit Data Visualization & Make a Recommendation
- Graded: Capstone Assignment Check
Grading Policy
Learners must earn an overall grade of 80% to pass. Two quizzes are worth 25% each, and the capstone is worth 50% of your final grade.
James B. Hudak Professor of Health Policy
Course content developed by U-M faculty and managed by the university. Faculty titles and affiliations are updated periodically.
Intermediate Level
Some related experience required
