This is a foundational module designed to take students through the research process. The skills developed will be relevant to a range of contexts but will focus on applied research as part of the public policy and public management processes. It will therefore consider the role of evidence in public policy and management, at methods appropriate to applied research in this field and at how research findings are used to influence and inform policy.
The module will look at the role of research in the public arena and how to frame research questions and design a research project. Reviewing existing literature and identifying research gaps will lead to a consideration of the strengths and limitations of different methods. The module will look at the importance of an ethical approach to research in what can be sensitive and contentious areas. It will also look at the communication of research results to both specialist and general audiences including politicians, civil society and other stakeholders in public services.
The module will assist in developing critical skills both for appraising existing literature and more broadly for assessing the validity and relevance of evidence, consolidating and extending work done on other taught modules and in our Study Skills activities.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Employ research skills appropriate to public policy and management
Appraise relevant academic literature on public policy and management
Evaluate different methods to conduct research on public policy and management
Communicate research results in a manner appropriate to public policy and management contexts
Assessment
38614-01 : Essay 1 - 2000 words : Coursework (50%)
38614-02 : Essay 2 - 2000 words : Coursework (50%)
