HP436 Half Unit
Evidence Appraisal for Health Policy Analysis
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Emilie Courtin
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in Global Health Policy, MSc in Health Data Science, MSc in Health Policy, Planning and Financing, MSc in International Health Policy and MSc in International Health Policy (Health Economics). This course is freely available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. It does not require permission. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
How to Apply
Priority for enrolment in Health Policy (HP) courses will be given to students from the Department of Health Policy, especially where the course is listed in their Programme Regulations.
Any remaining places will be offered to students from other departments who have HP courses listed in their Programme Regulations, and then on a first-come, first-served basis.
By submitting an application, you confirm that you meet any specified prerequisites.
Written statements will not be considered and will not affect your chances of being accepted onto a course.
Application opens: 10am on Thursday 25 September 2025
Do not apply before this time. Please make your selection as soon as possible once course selection opens.
Offers will be made by: 12pm (noon) on Monday 29 September 2025
For queries:
- Course content: Contact the Course Leader listed on the course guide.
- Application process: Email the Programmes Team at healthpolicy@lse.ac.uk
Priority will be given to students in the Department of Health Policy.
Course content
This course aims to introduce students to different ways in which evidence is generated and can be used to inform health policy. Taking a case-based approach, students will be introduced to a selection of key health issues and approaches to intervention in order to appreciate how different types of quantitative and qualitative evidence can inform analyses of complex policy problems. Students will also learn to interpret and critique health policy research and formulate policy-relevant conclusions from study results. Examples will be drawn from low-, middle-, and high-income countries, and will focus on forms of evidence and interventions that regularly feature in health policy analysis. Students will also be encouraged to draw on examples from their own countries and to relate the course content to their professional experience. Students will gain practical skills and learn to apply the concepts covered during the course to develop an evidence-informed policy brief.
Following the completion of this course, students will have an advanced understanding of the role of research in policy analysis and the role of theory in health policy research. Students will also be able to interpret the results of research concerning contemporary health issues and interventions, formulate policy conclusions, and develop an evidence-informed policy brief. Furthermore, students will be able to critically discuss evidentiary hierarchies in health policy and describe the respective roles of different approaches to evidence generation and their use in informing specific health policy questions.
Teaching
15 hours of lectures and 13.5 hours of seminars in the Autumn Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.
Formative assessment
Students will be expected to produce 1 piece of coursework in the AT.
Indicative reading
- Craig, P., Dieppe, P., Macintyre, S., Michie, S., Nazareth, I. and Petticrew, M., 2008. Developing and evaluating complex interventions: the new Medical Research Council guidance. BMJ, 337, a1655.
- World Health Organization, 2012. Health policy and systems research: a methodology reader. Geneva: World Health Organization.
Assessment
Policy brief (100%, 3000 words)
1 x 3000 word policy brief.
Key facts
Department: Health Policy
Course Study Period: Autumn Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 52
Average class size 2024/25: 13
Controlled access 2024/25: YesCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication