|
 Academic Year:
| 2015/6 |
| Owning Department/School:
| Department of Social & Policy Sciences |
| Credits:
| 6 |
| Level:
| Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7) |
| Period: |
Semester 2 |
| Assessment Summary:
| CW100 |
| Assessment Detail: |
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| Supplementary Assessment: |
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites: | |
| Description:
| Aims: To introduce students to research methods used in international development and policy analysis. To introduce students to current debates on 'what works' and to debate the meaning and impact of 'evidence based policy'. To explore the use of different methods in relation to different research needs. To examine examples of the impact of research on policy across a range of policy areas. To formulate a research synopsis containing a clear research question and with plans for a possible answer. To develop skills in structuring a dissertation. Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit students should have: * An understanding of quantitative and qualitative methods used in policy research * Critical understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of different methods with respect to different research objectives in international development and policy analysis. * An awareness of the ethical issues raised by the use of different methods across a range of contexts. * Understanding of approaches to the systematic management of research and other evidence in policy-making * Understanding of the challenges of applying and disseminating research into policy and practice * Critical awareness of the meaning and nature of 'evidence' in policy making and evaluation * A deeper and more critical understanding of how to formulate and develop an original research question * The ability to synthesise and interpret evidence for policy making and evaluation * The ability to be critical consumers and users of research evidence. Skills: Cross-cultural and interpersonal sensitivity (Taught/Facilitated) Concise, time-bound and effective written communication (T/F/Assessed) Effective oral communication (e.g. seminar presentations) (T/F) Ability to develop rigorous arguments through precise use of concepts and models (T/F) Ability to select, summarise and synthesise written information from multiple sources (T/F/A) Ability to synthesise multidisciplinary perspectives on the same problem (T/F) Ability to formulate a research question, then develop and present an original & coherent answer (T/F/A) Ability to produce work to agreed specifications and deadlines (T/F) Ability to work independently, without close supervision or guidance (T/F). Content: * Introduction to research methodology. * Formulating a research question and planning a dissertation * Critical introduction to the theory and practice of 'evidence-based' policy and practice. The interface between researchers and government * Systematic evidence management for policy - systematic reviews, secondary analysis, e-resources (data-bases, etc), social indicators and audits. * Research methods for policy - evaluating processes and outcomes, combining qualitative and quantitative methods, longitudinal studies, RCTS, experiments and quasi-experiments. * Learning from others and from experience - policy transfer, pilots, prototypes and demonstration projects. * Evidence-based practice and the development of guidelines. * Assessing impacts - methods of analysis for assessing the impact of policy or practice interventions, isolating effects in the context of multiple interventions. * Making an impact - case studies of research and policy in practice. |
| Programme availability: |
SP50294 is Compulsory on the following programmes:Department of Social & Policy Sciences
SP50294 is Optional on the following programmes:Department of Social & Policy Sciences
SP50294 is available for Auditing on the following programmes:Department of Social & Policy Sciences
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