15636 Applied Policy Research Project
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 12 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 15627 Foundations in Public Policy AND 15628 Making Public Policy AND 15641 Evidence and Research for Decision Making AND 15642 Public Sector Governance
Description
The Applied Policy Research Project provides skills for students to conduct primary and secondary research in public policy and governance context; to link their work to current literature, including readings derived from any of the subjects they have undertaken; and to write a stand-alone research report.
This is the capstone research project for the Master of Applied Policy. The aim of the course is to provide students with the skills to undertake public policy research. In this subject, students prepare a research proposal that responds to a research problem set by an external sponsor. They also conduct research and write a research report.
Students refine the research problem and develop a research question, and put forward a research design and associated data gathering methodologies in order to address the research question. They review the literature in order to link their work to current material on the topic, including readings derived from any of the subjects undertaken as foundation and elective subjects. In this process, they work with a supervisor, who advises them in carrying out the reading, research and writing necessary to plan and prepare for the research project and complete the report.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
| 1. | Worked collaboratively and cooperatively in a group |
|---|---|
| 2. | Formulated, designed and carried out original applied research in a public policy and governance context |
| 3. | Discovered, appraised and adapted insights from a research supervisor throughout the research process |
| 4. | Examined, prioritised and synthesised current literature on the chosen topic |
| 5. | Selected, interpreted and extended insights from the research literature to inform their research design and methodology |
| 6. | Understand ethical issues related to the conduct of policy research |
| 7. | Drawn out implications from their research findings for the public policy and governance literature |
| 8. | Develop actionable recommendations based on findings |
| 9. | Present your study and findings |
Teaching and learning strategies
Students can undertake this subject in one of two ways:
1. Two-semester mode: You will work over the course of two semesters on a topic that is provided by a public sector ‘sponsor’ describing a real-world problem they would like researched. Students will work in groups on a topic. Your research proposals will be submitted individually, and the final report will be handed in as a group report. You will also be required to submit an individual reflective essay.
2. Intensive mode: This mode involves two components: the first section involves working as a research team with a client organisation or government agency either within Australia or overseas (students are responsible for the cost of their own travel). A research brief is provided for the team to solve a real-world policy problem or challenge for the client. The team undertakes background research, stakeholder and client interviews and prepares a report and presentation to the client within a 2-week intensive timeframe. The second section is an individual report that examines in detail an issue discovered during the first part of the course and applies it to the student’s individual workplace challenges.
All students will be required to attend a class to be scheduled at the start of the semester to cover some basic topics and to select topics and group allocations. Student will select which mode they will follow for the course; however, Intensive mode will only run if there are sufficient students interested in this option. For students undertaking the two-semester mode there will also be a face-to-face session at the start of Spring semester.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Research Proposal
| Type: | Report |
|---|---|
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Criteria: |
20 |
Assessment task 2: Final Report
| Type: | Report |
|---|---|
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 60% |
Minimum requirements
Students must receive a miminum grade of 50% and attend all face-to-face presenations.
Required texts
There are no textbooks for this subject. However, reading widely on the chosen topic, as well as reading relevant research design and methodology literature, is essential to enable you to produce a research report. Your supervisor will guide you to relevant material.