| Unit name | Researching Public Policy |
|---|---|
| Unit code | SPOLM0074 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Gumy |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School for Policy Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
In an ever-changing policy landscape, it is key for policymakers to use the best empirical evidence to make policy decisions. Research methods are key to evidence-informed public policy as they provide an empirical basis to approach policy problems through a set of research designs and methodologies. It is through the understanding of the research tools available and their limitations in different policy contexts that we can generate new evidence to address policy problems and evaluate existing evidence.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
This is a mandatory unit taking place in the first term of study. Through this unit you will acquire good understanding of how and when evidence is used in the public policy field and will gain an appreciation of a range of research methods used in the field.
An overview of the content
This unit considers the role of research in public policy making, providing you with an understanding of how evidence is gathered, produced and applied in different public policy contexts. It provides you with an overview of research methodology applied in the field. The unit starts by presenting the philosophical foundations of conducting research through discussions about ontology and epistemology. You will acquire an understanding and tools for evaluation of research methods via the exploration of a range of research designs and through the understanding of qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches. Finally, you will reflect on the limitations as well as ethical implications of conducting research.
How students will be different as a result of the unit
You will appreciate the role of evidence in informing public policy and the challenges associated to conducting research in this field. You will be equipped with theoretical and empirical knowledge to evaluate different research methodologies applied to public policy problems. You will gain confidence to select an appropriate research design and methodology to be applied in your own research whilst having good appreciation of the advantages and limitations of each method.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the unit, you will be able to:
Teaching will be delivered through face-to-face weekly lectures and seminars. Your learning is supported via the online learning platform, Blackboard, where lecture materials and tasks are listed weekly. Each week you will be asked to undertake a specific task or reading to discuss in the seminar session. There is also an emphasis on self-directed study and reading.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
You will be supported by a formative element consisting of in class group presentations whereby you will be required to critically evaluate a given research proposal. Oral feedback will be provided in class following your presentations.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Research proposal (3000 word maximum, 100%)
This assessment covers all of the unit learning outcomes.
When assessment does not go to plan
Subject to the university regulations for taught programmes, you may be offered an opportunity for reassessment. If you are eligible to resubmit and where appropriate, you may submit a revised version of your previous assignment or complete an alternative assessment in the same format as the original assessment.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. SPOLM0074).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
