Course Topics
1. Data Management Fundamentals, 2. Data Visualization, 3. Introduction to R, 4. Descriptive Analysis, 5. Time Series Data, 6. Survey Data.

Teaching format
The course will combine in-class explanations of data analysis procedures with problem-solving activities and the discussion of case studies. Students will be encouraged to participate actively, providing them with the opportunity to develop their problem-solving skills in realistic and applied contexts.

Educational objectives
Knowledge and understanding The student will acquire targeted knowledge of techniques and analysis tools necessary for understanding and interpreting economic and business phenomena related to public administration in a quantitative manner in order to support decision-making and management processes. Knowledge of statistical inference, linear models and their generalisations will be consolidated. Knowledge will also be acquired in the management of the main computer systems useful for the analysis, interpretation, visualisation and communication of data, commonly used in public administrations. The student acquires the knowledge of economic theory necessary to understand and analyse economic and business phenomena in the public sector in order to support decision-making processes. Knowledge of public policy and the tools necessary for the design of sustainable policies will be consolidated. Knowledge related to the labour market, education and health will also be deepened, functional to the development of public policy analysis and evaluation skills. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding The student will acquire the ability to: - apply and implement statistical and econometric analysis techniques focusing on different types of datasets, including large datasets; - interpret results deriving from statistical and econometric analysis in the contexts of interest to companies and public bodies. Autonomy of judgement The student will acquire the ability to: - apply acquired knowledge to interpret economic and business phenomena in order to make managerial and operational decisions in the context of public administration; - select data and use appropriate information to describe a problem concerning the design, implementation and evaluation of public sector projects and policies, aiming at innovation and improvement of processes, products and results; - relate models and empirical evidence in the study of public policy phenomena. Communication skills The student will acquire the ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form the specialised content of the individual disciplines, using different registers according to recipients and communicative and didactic purposes, and to evaluate the formative effects of his/her communication. Learning skills The student will acquire the ability to: - use information technology autonomously to carry out bibliographical research and investigations and for one's own training and continuing education; - identify thematic links and establish relationships between different cases and contexts of analysis; - frame a new problem systematically and generate appropriate taxonomies; - develop general models from the phenomena studied.

Assessment
1. Voluntary midterm exam covering the first half of the course materials (data management fundamentals and data visualization) and 2. Mandatory final exam covering either the second half of the course or the entire course. The final grade will be a weighted average of the midterm exam (50%) and final exam (50%). Students that do not take the midterm or reject their midterm grade will be given a longer final exam that will count for 100% of the final grade.

Evaluation criteria
Students will be evaluated on their ability to: Understand and apply data management, visualization, and analysis techniques (both correct procedures and accurate solutions are essential); summarize and interpret descriptive statistics, as well as R code, and common outputs; demonstrate analytical thinking and clarity in communication; interpret exam questions accurately, providing correct, well-reasoned answers; establish connections between topics, demonstrating critical thinking skills.