Microcredential ekomex Outlierism – Learning from Deviant Cases

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 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 policy design.

Assignments for the Course
Suggesting outlierism research for different categories of outliers.

Schedule
For each of the two days:

• 9:00-11:00 synchronous
• 11:00-11:15 break
• 11:15-12:15 small group learning
• Lunch
• 13:30-14:30 office hour

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?
Anat Gofen is an associate professor at Federmann School of public policy at Hebrew University. 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.