Accessibility statement

Exploring Policy Research - SPY00157M

« Back to module search

  • Department: Social Policy and Social Work
  • Module co-ordinator: Prof. Nicola Lefanu
  • Credit value: 15 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24

Module summary

Effective policy-making and public administration depend on good research. This module enables you to critically reflect on the strengths, limitations and appropriateness of different research approaches and techniques, and you acquire the skills needed to evaluate and commission research for public policy and administration contexts.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Online Teaching Period 1 2023-24

Module aims

The module equips students with the knowledge of research methods required to make systematic and critical use of research in policy analysis and public administration. By providing a grounding in issues of research design, including core principles of key quantitative and qualitative approaches, it introduces students to the range and types of methods and data sources used in policy research and their strengths and limitations. Students can thus develop the skills needed to evaluate and assess the quality of ‘real world’ policy research based on relevant and appropriate criteria.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students should be able to:

  • understand the advantages and disadvantages of research techniques and approaches for public administration and public policy purposes.

  • demonstrate familiarity with key data sources and their strengths and limitations.

  • assess and articulate the merits of competing research designs as applied to specific policy or practice contexts.

  • evaluate case studies of research in public administration to inform evidence-based decision-making.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay : Research evaluation exercise / Call for commissioned research		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay : Research evaluation exercise / Call for commissioned research		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Feedback on summative assessments will be provided within 20 working days, consisting of written comments and a marking matrix.

Indicative reading

Majchrzak, A. and Markus, M. L. (2013) Methods for Policy Research Taking Socially Responsible Action - Second Edition, Applied Social Research Methods Series, London: Sage

Springer, J.F., Haas, P.J. and Porowski, A. (2017) Applied Policy Research Concepts and Cases, Second Edition, Abingdon: Routledge.


Vigoda-Gadot, E. and Vashdi, D. (eds) (2020) Handbook of Research Methods in Public Administration, Management and Policy, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.