| Module Code: SOCM004 |
Module Title: EVALUATION RESEARCH |
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Module Provider: Sociology
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Short Name: SOCM22
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Level: M
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Module Co-ordinator: TARLING R Prof (Sociology)
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Number of credits: 15
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Number of ECTS credits: 7.5
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| Module Availability |
| Autumn semester 2nd Year SR |
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| Assessment Pattern |
| One essay and one exercise. |
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| Module Overview |
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| Prerequisites/Co-requisites |
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| Module Aims |
| The course will cover the theoretical, methodological and practical aspects of evaluation research. The aims of the course are to provide an introduction to the basic principles of evaluation research design and to explore some of the conceptual, theoretical and technical issues associated with designing and implementing both quantitative and qualitative evaluation strategies. |
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| Learning Outcomes |
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| Module Content |
In the early part of the course emphasis will be placed upon the major research methods employed by evaluators to determine the impact of social programmes and evaluate the effectiveness of planned change. As the course develops issues of research design, ethical practice and the utilization of research findings will be examined through the study of the application of evaluation techniques in areas such as health care, criminal justice and social welfare.
Topics covered will include:
An introduction to the growth and development of evaluation research.
Types of evaluation:
outcome and implementation designs
formative and summative approaches
programme monitoring
constructivist evaluation
theory-driven evaluation
cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness.
Evaluation research designs:
strategies for impact assessment
randomized experiments
quasi-experimental designs
action research
quantitative and qualitative approaches.
Evaluating health care:
cost utility analysis
non-experimental research designs
measurement problems.
Evaluating crime policy:
measuring the effectiveness of sentences
multi-method approaches to policy evaluation
monitoring crime prevention initiatives.
Evaluating social welfare:
needs assessment surveys
multi-attribute utility analysis
care in the community.
The political and social context of evaluation:
moral dilemmas and value judgements
professional ethics
utilization of findings. |
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| Methods of Teaching/Learning |
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| Selected Texts/Journals |
Chen, H.T. (l990), Theory-Driven Evaluation, Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Cook, T., and Campbell, D.T. (l979), Quasi-Experimentation Design and Analysis Issues for Field Settings, Skokie, IL: Rand McNally.
Crane, J.A. (l988), 'Evaluation as scientific research', Evaluation Review, 12, 5, 467-482.
Greene, J.C. (l994), 'Qualitative program evaluation: practice and promise', in N.K. Denzin and Y.S. Lincoln (eds), Handbook of Qualitative Research, Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Fink, A. (1993), Research and Policy, Newbury Park, CA: Sage. Evaluation Fundamentals: Guiding Health Programs
House, E.R. (l993), Professional Evaluation: Social Impact and Political Consequences, Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Patton, M.Q. (l990), How to Use Qualitative Methods in Evaluation, Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Rossi, P.H. and Freeman, H.E. (1993), Evaluation: A Systematic Approach, fifth edition, Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Tarling, R (2006) Managing Social Research, A Practical Guide, Routledge. |
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| Last Updated |
| 27th August 2009 |
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