Microcredential ekomex: Outlierism – Learning from Deviant Cases

Content 

Using policy sciences as an example of application of social science research, this course introduces participants systematically to what and how we, as researchers, can learn from outlier cases.

What Is This Course About?
This course departs from an acknowledgement that science should contribute to practice and vice versa, and posits that practical innovation and change can crucially be informed by what we often call “deviant cases”.  Outlierism suggests a systematic perspective of studying outliers as a potential contribution for innovative practice. Using policy sciences as an example of application of social science research, this course introduces participants systematically to what and how we, as researchers, can learn from outliers. It teaches participants how to structure outlierism research, by identifying outliers, underlying mechanisms, and deriving practical knowledge from them.

Learning Goals
Structuring outlierism research:

  • identifying relevant outliers;
  • identifying possible underlying mechanisms that give rise to the outliers;
  • assessing accumulated knowledge about outliers for use in practice.


Assignments for the Course
1 formative in-class assignment suggesting outlierism research (not graded).

Schedule

  • 10:00-12:00h: in ZOOM
  • 12:00-13:00h: lunch
  • 13:00-15:00h: in ZOOM
  • 15:00-15:30h: break
  • 15:30-16:30h: office hour in zoom


Recommended Readings for the Course

  • Gofen, A., & Weimer, D. L. (2020). 22. Finding gold in the dross: outliers as a resource for policy analysis. Handbook of research methods in public administration, management and policy, 377.
  • Seawright, J., & Gerring, J. (2008). Case selection techniques in case study research: A menu of qualitative and quantitative options. Political Research Quarterly, 61(2), 294-308.
  • George, A. L., & Bennett, A. (2005). Case studies and theory development in the social sciences. MIT Press - Chapter 4.


Who is Your Instructor?
My agenda as a scholar is to advance research that guides practice, mostly, addressing social problems, achieving sustainable development, enhancing economic growth, and, in general, creating public value. To further unfold the reciprocal relationships between scholarly knowledge and social change, my research focuses on the role of outliers in the evolution, formation, and implications of public change.

Bildungszeit (can be claimed by employees in Baden-Württemberg) 
Anforderungen des Bildungszeitgesetzes Baden-Württemberg sind erfüllt
Fee 
120 EUR / Please note: you will gain access to our learning management system Moodle only after having paid your course fee
ECTS Credits 
1
Contact for Questions 
Date 
22.02.2024 (All day)
23.02.2024 (All day)
Duration 
2 study days
Requirements 
No prior knowledge is required other than basic knowledge of empirical research design, such as what is a case, what is a variable.