Course Catalogue

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The course seeks to develop essential research skills among Public Policy and Management students. It prepares students to subsequently undertake a master's dissertation. It will enable students to think critically about social science research methodologies and methods and develop the skills necessary to design a research project, undertake quantitative and qualitative data collection and conduct meaningful data analysis.  Achievement of the learning outcomes will equip students with skills in the conduct and use of research in workplace environments.

Ten three-hour sessions. Each session will consist of a lecture (1 hour) and a workshop (2 hours).  In 2020-21, in line with the University's approach to blended learning, lectures will be pre-recorded. Workshops will be live, and will be run in accordance with best practice for student engagement and accessibility.

Students should meet the entry requirements for the Associated Programme: MSc in Public Policy and Management (L415-5300)

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Written assignment (90%):

Students submit a research proposal. This work will be a maximum of 3,500 words and contain:

■ An introduction that summarizes why the research is important for the policy process and how it relates to debates in the literature

■ A concise research question and specific objectives

■ A summary review of relevant literature that indicates how the proposed research contributes to filling a research gap

■ A clear description of the chosen method, its suitability within the (sub-)disciplinary context of public policy research, and rationale for choosing it over alternative methods

■ A consideration of ethical issues

■ An outline timetable for the research, including writing-up

The course seeks to develop essential research skills among Public Policy and Management students. It prepares students to subsequently undertake a master's dissertation. It will enable students to think critically about social science research methodologies and methods and develop the skills necessary to design a research project, undertake quantitative and qualitative data collection and conduct meaningful data analysis. Achievement of the learning outcomes will equip students with skills in the conduct and use of research in workplace environments. To meet the aims, the course will:

• provide guidance on how to design, manage and implement a research project;

• explain and differentiate the different research philosophies and methodologies that exist within the social sciences.

• introduce students to the qualitative and quantitative research methods commonly employed in social research; and

provide students with an opportunity to develop a research proposal and plan out the quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis techniques they will use in their dissertation.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ appreciate the nature and purpose of research in public policy;

■ understand the processes and methods involved in the collection, integration, assimilation and handling of information sufficient for undertaking an MSc level dissertation;

■ understand and critique the existence of different traditions of thought in philosophy, science and social science;

■ appraise the relationships between different methodological approaches and methods;

■ appreciate the importance of appropriately framing a research problem;

■ demonstrate the research design skills required in the specification and development of a research problem; and

■ critically evaluate and defend the application of basic qualitative and/or quantitative research methods within a research proposal.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.

Minimum requirement for award of credit for students is D3 or above.