Postgraduate Course: Analysis for Policy (PGSP11310)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 15 |
ECTS Credits | 7.5 |
| Summary | Analysis for Policy provides a specialised introduction to the ways different kinds of information are produced and used in the course of policy making. It considers the role and function of research and analysis at different stages of the policy process, including in the identification and specification of policy problems, in public and stakeholder consultation and in programme and service evaluation. It covers both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection, and considers different obstacles to the use of evidence in policy. The course recognises that policy analysis is an essential professional and technical function, but also notes the political and ethical questions it may raise. |
| Course description |
a. Academic Description
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Critically assess the different kinds of knowledge used in policy making;
2. Distinguish and discriminate among the different methods of analysis used at different stages of the policy process;
3. Appreciate and assess the means by which different kinds of policy-relevant data may be gathered, manipulated and used;
4. Effectively apply their practical understanding of the research process to policy problems;
5. Design and deliver different ways of communicating research to policy.
The personal and professional skills and attributes developed in this course include:
1. The ability to identify the cognitive and informational dimensions to policy problems;
2. The ability to design and deliver alternative solutions to those problems, to a professional standard; and,
3. To communicate research questions and findings effectively to a range of audiences.
b. Outline Content
After a broad discussion of the question ¿what is knowledge¿ in public policy the course proceeds to consider a range of data collection approaches, both quantitative and qualitative. Illustrative examples of approaches taught include statistical modelling, interviewing, surveys, and focus groups. The course then proceeds to discuss the processes involved in certain key stages of the policy process, such as consultation, evaluation, implementation, etc.
c. Student Learning Experience
This course is taught consists of 10 seminars, each of approximately 3 hours in length. The course is open only to students enrolled on the Master of Public Policy. The structure of the seminars varies. Some of the material lends itself to closer instruction and formal lectures. Other material lends itself to smaller group work and in class discussions. Where appropriate we will bring in a public policy practitioner, with relevant experience/expertise, to contribute to the seminar. During weeks 7, 8, and 9 the third hour of the class will be set-aside for students to meet with the course team one-to-one in project workshops. The purpose of these sessions is to allow students to discuss and plan their second piece of assessed coursework. Week 10 will be a showcase week in which every student will present to the course team, and their peers, the analysis they have undertaken for their second assignment. This will provide an opportunity for feedback ahead of the final submission of coursework.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2017/18, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: 20 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
150
(
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 3,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
147 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
70 %,
Practical Exam
30 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Components of Assessment, 100% coursework:
1. research design: 1000 words: 30%
2. policy analysis: 2000 words: 70%
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| Feedback |
Students will have opportunity, within class, to discuss their 1000-word research design and will also be able to submit and receive feedback on a short plan. For the 2000-word policy analysis, during weeks 7, 8, and 9 the third hour of the class will be set-aside for students to meet with the course team one-to-one in project workshops to discuss their policy issue and their research. Week 10 will be a showcase week in which every student will present to the course team, and their peers, the analysis they have undertaken for their second assignment. This will provide an opportunity for feedback ahead of the final submission of coursework but is not directly assessed. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- critically assess the different kinds of knowledge used in policy making
- distinguish and discriminate among the different methods of analysis used at different stages of the policy process
- appreciate and assess the means by which different kinds of policy-relevant data may be gathered, manipulated and used
- effectively apply their practical understanding of the research process to policy problems
- design and deliver different ways of communicating research to policy
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Reading List
Bardach E (2012). A practical guide for policy analysis (4th edition), London: Sage.
Bryman, A (2004) Social Research Methods, second edition, Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press.
Davies HTO, Nutley SM and Smith PC (eds) (2000). What works? Evidence-based policy and practice in public services, Bristol: Policy Press.
Fielding, J. & N. Gilbert (2006) Understanding Social Statistics (2nd edition), London: Sage
Freeman, R and Sturdy, S (eds) (2014) Knowledge in Policy: embodied, inscribed, enacted, Bristol: Policy Press
Marsh, C. & J. Elliott (2008) Exploring Data (2nd edition), Cambridge: Polity
Ritchie J and Lewis J (2003) (eds) Qualitative Research Practice, London: Sage.
Robson, C. (2002). Real World Research: A Resource for Social Scientists and Practitioner-Researchers, Oxford: Blackwell.
Spicker P (2006) Policy Analysis for Practice Bristol: Policy Press
Additional resources: the Social Research Up-date series, available on-line at http://sru.soc.surrey.ac.uk/, outlines some traditional and not-so-traditional data collection methods. There a number of specialist journals relevant for the course such as Evaluation, Evidence & Policy, Policy and Politics and Public Money and Management.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
The personal and professional skills and attributes developed in this course include:
1. The ability to identify the cognitive and informational dimensions to policy problems;
2. the ability to design and deliver alternative solutions to those problems, to a professional standard;
3. and to communicate research questions and findings effectively to a range of audiences. |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Richard Freeman
Tel: (0131 6)50 4680
Email: |
Course secretary | Mr Lee Corcoran
Tel: (0131 6)51 5122
Email: |
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