| CODE | PPL2050 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Researching Public Policy | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Public Policy | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit is essentially divided into two main parts: The first part comprises the input/output link between researchers and policy-makers. It marks the theoretical and empirical concept of Evidence-based Policy wherein scientific data acts as a platform on which public policy is formulated, implemented and monitored. The second part deals with the different stages of the research cycle, namely identification of the research scope, conducting the literature appraisal, devising a methodological design, administering data collection tools, analysing and interpreting findings, writing reflexive conclusions and formulating SMART recommendations. Study-Unit Aims: The overall aim of this study-unit is to help students develop their potential in order to be better involved in projects involving both academic and professional research. It aims to equip students with the right knowhow and skills of how to develop the most appropriate design to achieve the original scope of their research with greater validity and reliability. Additionally, it seeks to introduce the dynamics between policy-formulation and research, thus rendering students capable of managing Evidence-Based Policy through the use and interpretation of both statistical and narrative data. This study-unit paves the way for the research and writing of the research project PPL3106 Malta, Politics, Policies and Governance Seminar. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Recognise the centrality of research and evidence in policy formulation, implementation and monitoring; - Understand the mutual working relationship between researchers and policy-makers; - Formulate different research designs and methods as part of a scientific inquiry leading to policy exploration and/or improvement; - Comprehend high ethical standards in carrying out a research project. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Appraise academic and policy documents from a methodological standpoint; - Administer an array of data collection tools, including questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, observations, experiments, etc.; - Analyse both statistical and qualitative data in accordance to scientific rigour; - Gain confidence in the application of research designs both for academic purposes and in real-life policy matters. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Bryman, A. (2011), Social Research Methods, UK: Oxford University Press. - Burnham, P., Gillard Lutz, K., Grant, W and Layton-Henry, Z. (2008), Research Methods in Politics, UK: Palgrave Macmillan. - Cartwright, N. and Hardie, J. (2012) Evidence-Based Policy: A Practical Guide to Doing it Better, Oxford: Oxford University Press. - Levin, P. (2008), Excellent Dissertations, UK: Open University Press. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Tutorial | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Kurt Borg Luke Buhagiar (Co-ord.) |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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