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SP60291: Policy research methodology

[Page last updated: 26 October 2023]

Academic Year: 2023/24
Owning Department/School: Department of Social & Policy Sciences
Credits: 18 [equivalent to 36 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 360
Level: Doctoral (FHEQ level 8)
Period:
Academic Year
Assessment Summary: CW 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Essay (CW 100% - Qualifying Mark: 40)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: While taking this module you must take SP60290 . This unit is only available to students on the Professional Doctorate in Policy Research and Practice.
Learning Outcomes: Learning outcomes for this unit are:
1. A high-level critical understanding of ontological and epistemological approaches to social research and contemporary debates over their application in policy sciences
2. A critical awareness of the range of methodologies used in policy research including their appropriateness for answering different types of question, their ontological and epistemological underpinnings, and their strengths and limitations
3. A critical understanding of selected methods in policy research at a sufficient level to be able to design and undertake a piece of primary research


Aims: The aim of this unit to provide students on the Professional Doctorate in Policy Research and Practice with a critical understanding of the range of methodologies used in policy research and to equip them with the research skills necessary to undertake a piece of primary research.

Skills: Students who successfully complete this unit should develop the following skills:
1. The ability to critically appraise the methodological basis of policy research reports and publications and to identify limitations and weaknesses of such research
2. The ability to formulate coherent and practical questions for policy research and to design and justify an appropriate research strategy to answer those questions.

Content:
1. Ontology and epistemology for policy research
2. Philosophy of research
3. Epistemological challenges: what counts as 'evidence' for policy research?
4. Research ethics for policy research
5. Positionality and reflexivity in policy research
6. Quantitative methods for policy research
7. Qualitative methods for policy research
8. Creative methods for policy research
9. Participatory research: philosophy and methods
10. Evidence reviews
11. Mixed methods for policy research
12. Designing a policy research project

Course availability:

SP60291 is Compulsory on the following courses:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • RHSP-APD04 : Professional Doctorate in Policy Research and Practice

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2023/24 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2024/25 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2023/24.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.