Information and Research for Policy - SLSP5002

 
Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
 
 
School:  School of Social Sciences and International Studies
 
 
Course Outline: http://slsp.arts.unsw.edu.au/
 
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Postgraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 8
 
 
EFTSL: 0.16667 (more info)
 
 
Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 2
 
 
Fee Band: 1 (more info)
 
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
 

Description


An examination of the various sources of information available and the ways in which they are used to inform policy. This includes methods of social research, both quantitative and qualitative, the production of official statistics and social indicators, case studies and documentary research; the locations in which such information is produced (universities, think-tanks, government bureaux, etc) and the nature of the information produced (basic research, strategic research, intelligence and monitoring, etc). The political, ethical, social and economic context in which information is produced and used in policy is examined through the analysis of examples from a range of policy areas.

Learning Outcomes


On completion of this course students will have developed the ability to:
  • Plan and design applied social research projects
  • Write research proposals
  • Critically evaluate applied social research reports
  • Understand the problems involved in implementing research findings.

Assessment


  • Research proposal - 35%
  • Journal entries - 20%
  • Interpreting research findings - 30%
  • Participation and presentations - 15%