HP4D5E Half Unit
Research Design for Evaluating Health Programs and Policies
This information is for the 2020/21 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Elisabetta De Cao COW 3.06 and Dr Pepita Barlow
Availability
This course is available on the Executive MSc in Health Economics, Outcomes and Management in Cardiovascular Sciences and Executive MSc in Health Economics, Policy and Management. This course is not available as an outside option.
Course content
The objective of this course is to teach students how to design and critically appraise research studies evaluating policies, programmes, and interventions.
This course will provide an overview of the principles and models of evaluation, and the role of theories, concepts, and hypotheses. In terms of research design, it will cover study design choices in light of bias, validity and other design trade-offs. The core of the course will focus on experimental and quasi-experimental designs for evaluating health interventions, programmes and policies aimed at achieving high quality care, reducing costs, and improving health outcomes. Data and measurement considerations for quantitative studies will be discussed alongside briefly touching upon qualitative methods, mixed-methods and triangulation for interpreting findings and taking a critical approach to the results of evaluation. The course will conclude with practical and ethical issues when undertaking evaluation studies.
Teaching
This course will be delivered as a combination lectures and seminars, totalling a minimum of 20 hours. As well as access to lectures, students will work in small groups to complete group exercises set by the course lead during seminars.
Formative coursework
Students will receive feedback on in-class group work and presentations
Indicative reading
Angrist, J. D. and Pischke, J-S. (2014) Mastering ’Metrics: The Path from Cause to Effect. Princeton University Press.
Gertler, Paul J., Sebastian Martinez, Patrick Premand, Laura B. Rawlings, and Christel M. J. Vermeersch. (2016) Impact Evaluation in Practice, second edition. Washington, DC: Inter-American Development Bank and World Bank. doi:10.1596/978-1- 4648-0779-4. License: Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 3.0 IGO.
Cartwright, N. & Hardie, J. (2012). Evidence-Based Policy: A practical guide to doing it better. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
HM Treasury. 2011. The Magenta Book. Guidance for evaluation.
Assessment
Essay (80%, 2000 words) and continuous assessment (20%).
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.
Key facts
Department: Health Policy
Total students 2019/20: 1
Average class size 2019/20: Unavailable
Controlled access 2019/20: No
Value: Half Unit
Personal development skills
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of numeracy skills
- Specialist skills
