166-518 Policy Research Methods

Admission to the postgraduate diploma or honours program in Sociology, or postgraduate coursework programs in Public Policy and Management or Social Policy.

This subject focuses on the role of research in policy and academic environments, with a general focus on empirical research. The subject explores the principles of effective research design and implementation in a range of policy settings. The unit introduces students to the variety of methodological considerations underpinning effective research design, including: ethics in policy research; developing conceptual frameworks; sampling; survey, interview and focus group design principles; analysing social and economic data; and evaluation design. The subject explores the role of research in changing policy and governance frameworks, and the theoretical underpinnings of commonly employed policy research methodologies. Students will be encouraged to think critically about the nature of intellectual authority implicit in different research approaches, and the impacts of these approaches on policy processes. On completion of the subject, students should have developed a broad conceptual understanding of the principles effective research design in a range of policy and academic settings. They should also have developed the practical skills necessary to design robust research projects appropriate to varying contexts, and the analytical skills necessary to critically evaluate others' research.

• be able to demonstrate competence in critical, creative and theoretical thinking through essay writing, seminar discussion and presentations, conceptualising theoretical problems, forming judgements and arguments from conflicting evidence, and by critical analysis;

• be able to demonstrate an understanding of the academic protocols of research and presentation.

A 1000-word essay 15% (due early April), a 1000-word journal 15% (due at the end of semester) and a 3000-word essay 70% (due in the examination period).

A subject reader will be available.