Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Tutorial | 3 x 1 Hour Tutorials |
| Seminar | 6 x 2 Hour Seminars |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Essay of 4,000 words | 40% |
| Semester Assessment | Oral presentation of project pitch (20 minutes + questions) (group-assessed) | 10% |
| Semester Assessment | Report on project (5,000 words) [Submitted as a group but with authorship of each section identified. 50% of mark for assessment awarded as group mark for overall research and report presentation. 50% of mark awarded as individual mark for section authored]. | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Resubmission or re-presentation of any failed component only if the overall module mark is a fail. | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
- Discuss and evaluate the contribution of research to evidence-based policy-making and critically engage with debates concerning the principles and practice of policy research.
- Show an appreciation of the methodological, ethical and political issues concerned in conducting and managing an effective policy research project.
- Effectively plan and implement a policy research project, including research design, data collection and data analysis, and time management.
- Communicate research findings and recommendations to a policy client through written and oral presentations.
Brief description
This module provides training in research methods to support both work towards a MA Dissertation and career development in policy research or policy development and implementation. The module includes taught seminars that introduce the principles and practice of policy research from both academic and government perspectives and engages with recent debates in Human Geography on policy engagement. Alongside these seminars, students will work in small groups to complete a 'Policy Research Project', which puts topics covered in the seminars into practice. This will be a real piece of research 'commissioned' by a local council or organization and will include the design and implementation of a research plan, writing of an appropriately presented report, identification of recommendations, and an oral presentation to the client.
Content
1. Introduction to evidence-based policy-making
2. Critical perspectives on policy research
3. Participatory research and public engagement
4. Planning and managing policy research
5. Communicating policy research
6. Interpreting research and applications for policy development
Tutorials and Presentations
1. Introduction to Policy Report Project
2. Project 'pitch' presentation
3. Project advisory tutorial
4. Project advisory tutorial
5. Presentation to client
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | The policy research project may involve quantitative data collection and analysis |
| Communication | Written communication skills developed through written essay and project report, including appropriate styles of presentation for different audiences. Oral communication skills developed through oral presentations of project pitch (assessed) and research findings and recommendations (not assessed) |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Students will be expected to undertake a significant amount of self-directed study and will reflect on their own capabilities, strengths and performance in designing a research project. |
| Information Technology | Students will be expected to access and analyse data using information technology including the web and specialist software |
| Personal Development and Career planning | The module is designed to prepare students for prospective careers in policy research or in policy-related employment using research. The policy research project is designed to provide students with practical experience of undertaking real commissioned research, enhancing employability. |
| Problem solving | Problem solving skills will be developed through the design and implementation of a policy research project |
| Research skills | A wide range of research skills will be developed through the module, including skills of data collection and analysis, and research planning and management. |
| Subject Specific Skills | |
| Team work | The policy research project will be undertaken as a group project, in which students will need to allocate and manage roles and work coherently together. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7