Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE PPL5107

 
TITLE Research Methods for Policy and Business 2

 
UM LEVEL 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course

 
MQF LEVEL 7

 
ECTS CREDITS 5

 
DEPARTMENT Public Policy

 
DESCRIPTION Applied Policy Sciences is an intensive, customized programme aimed at beefing up the diversity of research methods with students of Public Policy. With a view towards a better appreciation of the notion of "measurement", this study-unit is being conceived to enhance the research skills of students reading for the programme. To deal with the inherent and increasingly complex world, policy leaders need to be equipped with tools that enable them to understand it.

This study-unit builds on PPL5002 Research Methods for Policy and Business by applying real case scenarios that require quantitative or qualitative approaches. The emphasis however is on the acquisition of numerical skills that enable them to interpret and generate statistics on specific research questions. As King et al. (1994) argue, the research process involves the dual goals of description and explanation. No meaningful explanations could be constructed without a sound knowledge of what needs to be explained. Good research methods are based upon a good research design, sound hypothesis and a carefully selected literature. These research skills are common to all types of policy research.

The levels of measurements, the assignment of variables, sampling techniques, frequency distribution, and other forms of data generation will complement other research techniques (interviewing, surveying, coding, content analysis) by means of Case Studies and practical examples.

Study-unit Aims:

Research Methods cannot be taught at principle or concept level only. The aim of this study-unit is to familiarize students with the extensive research methodology toolkit in preparation for; their Dissertation, and subsequent study-units. The familiarization with applied research methods would enable students to overcome the apprehension of learning methods that are number intensive. The main aims are therefore to:

- Interpret the statistical representation of Qualitative and Quantitative data;
- Generate data through the use of Statistical Software like SPSS (IBM);
- Study the interrelationships between different elements in a given dataset;
- Grasp the empirical application of political analysis tools and develop the ability to measure;
- Increase confidence with the techniques of Sampling, Surveying or Polling;
- Discern, consider and manage ethical implications of data collection.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- Verify the credibility, reliability and validity of research through the interpretation of research data;
- Identify "evidence-gaps" and propose techniques for suitable remedy;
- Build simple models of regression and correlation to understand relationship between variables;
- Apply normal / multivariate distribution techniques to random variables;
- Understand standard deviations, confidence intervals, and margins of error when interpreting statistical data;
- Master the essentials of Qualitative research methods.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- Enhance methodological (qualitative and quantitative) skills that strengthen hypothesis testing;
- Increase confidence to attempt fertile research;
- Distinguish between descriptive and inferential statistics and apply them in the right context;
- Polish reporting skills in applied research scenarios.

Main Text/s:

- Davis, C. (2013), SPSS Step by Step: Essentials for Social and Political Science, Policy Press.
- Franklin, M.I. (2012), Understanding Research: Coping with the Quantitative - Qualitative Divide, Routledge.
- Libman, A. (2012), "Learning to Be Different: Quantitative Research in Economics and Political Science", Rationality Markets and Morals, 3, 178–184.

Supplementary text/s:

- Brambor, T. et al. (2006) "Understanding Interaction Models: Improving Empirical Analyses", Political Analysis, 14:1, 63-82.
- Burnham, P. (2007), Research Methods in Politics, Palgrave Macmillan.
- Daniel, J. (2012), Sampling Essentials: Practical Guidelines for Making Sampling Choices, SAGE.
- Eisfield, R. (2011), "How political science might regain relevance and obtain an audience: a manifesto for the 21st century", European Political Science, 10, 220-225.
- Goidel, K. (ed.) (2011), Political Polling in the Digital Age: The Challenge of Measuring and Understanding Public Opinion, LSU Press.
- Halperin, S. and Heath, O. (2012), Political Research: Methods and Practical Skills, OUP.
- King, G. et al. (1995) "The Importance of Research Design in Political Science", American Political Science Review, 89:2, 475-481.
- Manheim, J.B et al. (2012), Empirical Political Analysis, Pearson.
- Silverman, D. (2011), Interpreting Qualitative Data, Sage Publications, 4th ed.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture and Seminar

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment SEM2 Yes 30%
Examination (2 Hours) SEM2 Yes 70%

 
LECTURER/S Luke Buhagiar (Co-ord.)
Vincent Marmara

 

 
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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