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2011/2 Provisional Module Catalogue - UNDER CONSTRUCTION & SUBJECT TO CHANGE
 Module Code: SOCM004 Module Title: EVALUATION RESEARCH
Module Provider: Sociology Short Name: SOCM22
Level: M Module Co-ordinator: TARLING R Prof (Sociology)
Number of credits: 15 Number of ECTS credits: 7.5
 
Module Availability

Spring Semester
Assessment Pattern
One essay and a review of a published evaluation.
Module Overview
Prerequisites/Co-requisites
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. Emphasis is placed upon the major research methods employed by evaluators to determine the impact of social programmes and evaluate the effectiveness of planned change.
Learning Outcomes

At the end of the module, students will be able to:-

understand the basic methodological principles underpinning evaluation research

use social research methods and methodologies to address evaluation questions

appreciate some of the methodological, technical and practical problems encountered when using evaluation strategies in specific policy contexts

identify what constitutes good practice in implementing evaluation research designs
Module Content

 

  • types of evaluation: formative and summative
  • evaluation research designs: quantitative and qualitative approaches; randomised control trials; experimental and quasi-experimental designs; regression – discontinuity designs
  • evaluation in different policy contexts: health care, criminal justice and social welfare
  • systematic reviews and meta analysis.
    • Methods of Teaching/Learning

    Selected Texts/Journals

    Clarke, A. (1999) Evaluation Research: An introduction to Principles, Methods and Practice, Sage.

    Government Social Research (2009) The Magenta Book: Guidance notes for policy evaluation and research, www.gsr.gov.uk.

    Patton, M. Q. (2002) Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods, third edition, Sage.

    Pawson, R and Tilley, N (1997) Realistic Evaluation, Sage.

    Rossi, P.H., Freeman, H E, and Lipsey, M.W (2003) Evaluation: A Systematic Approach, 7th edition, Sage.

    Tarling, R (2006) Managing Social Research, A Practical Guide, Routledge.
    Last Updated

    April 2011