The National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) Lahore conducted a workshop on “Quantitative Tools for Decision Making and Data Analytics” for participants of the 46^th Mid-Career Management Course. The workshop, designed to enhance participants’ understanding of data analytics for effective decision-making, was delivered in three sessions over three days (April 6-8, 2026). Dr. Fouzia Hadi Ali, a distinguished expert in business and commerce studies and Associate Professor at Hailey College of Commerce, University of the Punjab, Lahore, conducted the workshop.

The workshop commenced with Dr. Ali elucidating fundamental concepts in quantitative research, explaining the core principles of data analysis and their significance for policy research, informed decision-making, and policy formulation. She also explained the difference between data analytics and machine learning. Further, she explained the importance of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and its robust statistical capabilities. She subsequently discussed different types of variables in data analysis, such as categorical and numerical variables. She also talked about the importance of benchmarking in quantitative research. Dr. All then elaborated the significance of scales of measurement, emphasizing their critical role in establishing a framework for quantifying and interpreting variables in data analysis. She explained that scales of measurement not only determine the nature of the data but also guide researchers in selecting appropriate statistical methods for analysis. The two primary scales of measurement, nominal and ordinal scales, were also discussed. Dr. All then proceeded to discuss descriptive statistics, highlighting their vital role in summarizing the main characteristics of a dataset, enabling researchers to easily grasp essential features, simplify complex information, and facilitate informed decision-making. Following the explanation of these foundational concepts, Dr. Ali administered practical exercises to the participants. The majority of the workshop was dedicated to these practice sessions, during which Dr. Ali utilized real-world case studies, especially from Benazir Income Support Programme, and drew upon her own experiences as a quantitative researcher. She answered the questions asked by participants throughout the session.