166-213 Using Computers in Social Research

Admission to the Bachelor of Public Policy and Management, see Entry requirements.

The subject focuses on the skills required to design policy programs which are both socially effective and economically efficient. Students should learn a range of methods used in the evaluation of policy programs, including social experiments, quasi-experiments and interrupted time series designs. Guidance will be given on how to develop recommendations to improve policies. Students gain practical hands-on experience through workshops in which they learn policy design and evaluation skills. On completion of the subject students should understand the basics of survey research, the conduct of focus groups, budget analysis, and the use of departmental files to develop case profiles.

Written work totalling 5000 words.

Materials prepared by the centre.