module specification

This module provides a critical understanding of social research in public policy arenas, its interrelation with social policy development and an evidence base, including an overview of styles and processes of research, underpinning principles, main methods and the potential of extant sources of information.  Social, cultural and political dimensions of knowledge production will be considered and how research design and practice may contribute to understanding experiences of diverse and often marginalised groups, how social justice and other values enter into research, its use and interpretation. Topical research and policy issues will be drawn upon for illustration, such as education, welfare benefits, development, health, equalities.

1. To develop critical understanding of contexts of social research practice in public policy arenas and its relation to development evidence, analysis and recommendations of policy
2. To provide an overview of the research process in terms of theory, concept and research question framing, analysis and interpretation of material
3. To examine and compare possibilities of different theoretical perspectives on the generation of knowledge, research styles and alternative designs to address research goals aspiring to investigate complex social and policy issues and processes
4. To advance knowledge of principal methods  – qualitative, quantitative and pluralistic, including tools to support inclusive, responsive and developmental research outcomes
5. To develop critical awareness of social, cultural and political dimensions of knowledge production and a practical understanding of how social justice and other values enter into research and its use to improve understanding of social experiences amongst diverse groups and settings 
6. To develop knowledge and skills for appraising existing information and evidence sources such as text/visual, archival/institutional, official statistics

Contexts of social research practice in policy arenas and public policy development and implementation
- Critical consideration of ideas and demands behind evidence based policy & practice
- models of research & evaluation policy relationships
- relating research and policy analysis
- issues and skills in drawing policy recommendations from research findings
- communicating research & evaluation findings

Overview of the research process – role of theory, concept and research question development, analysis and interpretation of materials

Styles of research and alternative designs to investigate complex social and policy issues and processes
- core designs 
- pluralistic research case studies of investigating complex social and policy issues
Theoretical perspectives on nature of knowledge and explanation generated through research
- Key epistemological/ontological perspectives and implications for policy evidence
- Alternative and comparative epistemologies within diverse settings & implications
Principal methods and strategies used in social research
- Quantitative
- Qualitative
- Contemporary tools - inclusive and responsive work; digital /online 

Social, cultural and political dimensions of research and implications for design and practice
- locating influences on knowledge production
- action / participatory /developmental designs and practice

Sourcing and Developing a critical evidence base using Existing information sources
- policy documentation
- demographic and statistical sources
- research literature
- administrative records and ‘big’ data developments

Values in research and policy – social justice, human rights and ethical considerations

This module is delivered through a series of weekly lectures, presentations and group workshops. Lectures/presentations are followed by interactive workshops or seminar discussions. These will focus on practical topics, tasks and issues relating to the lecture content, designed to facilitate student learning about the relation of theory and practice in both research and its application in public policy contexts. Online support will focus on supporting students to reinforce their learning through illustrative case studies and further exercises. Staff can be contacted by email for advice and support or a personal appointment.

By the end of the module students should be able to

1. Apply critical understanding to contexts  of social research practice in policy arenas and its relation to development, issues of evidence, analysis and recommendations of policy
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the research process in terms of theory, concept and research question development, analysis and interpretation of material
3. Distinguish theories, styles and designs for knowledge and explanation generated from research and appraise their application to address research goals aspiring to investigate complex social and policy issues and processes
4. Demonstrate systematic understanding of principal methods for social research – qualitative, quantitative and pluralistic, including tools to support inclusive, responsive and developmental research outcomes
5. Identify and critically examine social, cultural and political dimensions of knowledge production and ways in which social justice and other values enter into research, especially to improve understanding of social experiences amongst diverse groups and settings
6. Locate and review existing information and evidence sources for policy purposes, including text/visual, archival/institutional, official statistics

A three part assessment enables students to demonstrate achievement against the module aims and learning outcomes. Students must pass Part Two to pass the module.
Part One requires students to produce a short (1,300 words) essay which carries 20% of the overall mark and is peer-assessed against provided criteria early in the module. Module staff moderate the marks (given as letter grades by students) before returning work to students. This peer-assessed essay gives students (particularly those returning to post-graduate study after some time) an early opportunity to demonstrate developing understanding of policy implementation, key methodological principles, research process, data construction and different research strategies. (lo 1, lo 2, lo3, lo4) In addition they gain early feedback on their essay writing skills prior to the main essay assignment and in advance of coursework deadlines for other modules.
Part Two requires an essay (3,000 words) which carries 70% of the overall mark. Students choose one from a selection of titles that enable them to critically address and relate research and evaluation within a policy context  (lo1), applying their systematic understanding (lo2) and developed grasp of research principles, processes and practice (lo3, lo4,) by critically examining the theory, design and technical strategies adopted in a specified area of social research, acknowledging social, cultural and political dimensions (lo 5) and ways in which values enter into the process (lo5)
Part Three requires students to produce an Evidence Portfolio with supporting commentary (700) words which carries 10% of the overall mark, demonstrating developing skills in searching and reviewing existing sources of information and evidence (lo6) applicable to a specific policy question and context (lo1), demonstrating a critical appreciation of the comparative diversity and social justice salience of information (lo5, lo6) and systematic understanding of the contribution of social research (lo2, lo3 lo4)

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Burnham, P, Gilland Lutz, K, et al, (2008) “Research and the Policy Process”, in Research Methods in Politics, 2nd ed, chapter 12, pp 305 – 324, Palgrave
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Williams, M and Vogt, P (eds) (2011) Sage Handbook of Methodological Innovation. London: Sage