MY505      Half Unit
Research Design for Policy and Programme Evaluation

This information is for the 2021/22 session.

Teacher responsible

TBC

Availability

This course is open to any Research level student.

This course is not controlled access. If you register for a place and meet the prerequisites, if any, you are likely to be given a place.

Pre-requisites

There are no prerequisites but some familiarity with qualitative research methods is expected. Please contact the course convenor if unsure.

Course content

This course aims to equip students with the methodological knowledge and research skills to be able to design and critically appraise evaluation research. In the context of the rise of evidence-based policy, the course is designed to extend students’ abilities to use evaluative information carefully and critically. The course takes a mixed methods approach. It covers the major quantitative designs, including randomized experiments and observational (i.e. non-randomized) research designs such as selection on observables, difference-in-differences, and the regression discontinuity design. It covers qualitative and participatory research designs and their contribution to formative research, process evaluation, realist evaluations, interpreting outcomes, and assessing transferability to other settings. As well as the major design issues, the course addresses practical and ethical issues of evaluation research, how to write a study protocol, and how to draw lessons from a body of evidence through reviewing and synthesising evidence. Examples from the fields of health, international development and public policy will be used throughout the lectures and seminars.

Teaching

This course is delivered through a combination of seminars and lectures totalling a minimum of 20 hours across Lent Term. This year, some or all of this teaching may be delivered through a combination of virtual classes and flipped-lectures delivered as short online videos.

This course has a Reading Week in Week 6 of LT.

 

Formative coursework

Students will be expected to produce 1 essay in the LT.

Students write a critical review (1,500 words) of a published evaluation report.

Indicative reading

Angrist, J. D. and Pischke, J-S. (2014) Mastering Metrics: The Path from Cause to Effect. Princeton University Press

Bell, S. & Aggleton, P. (2016). Monitoring and Evaluation in Health and Social Development: Interpretive and Ethnographic perspectives. London: Routledge.

Cartwright, N. & Hardie, J. (2012). Evidence-Based Policy: A practical guide to doing it better. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

Glennerster, R. and Takaarasha, K. (2013) Running Randomized Evaluations: A Practical Guide, Princeton University Press.

Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods. (4th Edition). London: Sage.

Assessment

Essay (50%, 3000 words) in the ST.
Research design (50%) in the LT.

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Important information in response to COVID-19

Please note that during 2021/22 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 differing needs of students in attendance on campus and those who might be studying online. For example, this may involve changes to the mode of teaching 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: Methodology

Total students 2020/21: 2

Average class size 2020/21: 2

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Problem solving
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication
  • Specialist skills