Unit name | Informing and Evaluating Policy - Research Methods and Analysis |
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Unit code | SPOLM1061 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | M/7 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
Unit director | Professor. Cameron |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School for Policy Studies |
Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
This unit introduces students to the use of quantitative and qualitative techniques and data analysis in a public policy. It demonstrates the application and analysis of quantitative and qualitative techniques to primary and secondary sources. It considers - questionnaire design; sampling techniques, statistical inference and experimental design; interviewing, focus groups, case studies and analysis of documents. The strengths and weakness of different quantitative and qualitative techniques are explored along with issues relating to the use of comparative data. All these topics will be explored via the use of public policy case studies.
The unit aims to:
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
Interactive seminars and practical whole class and small group exercises.
A written assignment of 4,000 words requiring the students to demonstrate an appreciation of epistemological debates pertaining to social research methodologies and an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses as applied to social policy research.