Proposal for Research in Public Policy or Management
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| SOCI4041 | Sociology and Social Policy | 4 | 30 | Spring UK |
- Code
- SOCI4041
- School
- Sociology and Social Policy
- Level
- 4
- Credits
- 30
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
This module provides guidance on writing both a thesis proposal and a thesis. The module considers academic debates about different methodologies alongside practical issues. Students will critically appraise relevant literature and prepare a detailed plan of their programme of research in terms of a research design, theoretical framework, milestones, resources required, and ethical considerations.
Target Students
Only available for DPP Doctor of Public Policy orDPM Doctor of Public Management students.
Classes
Individual tutorial time with the module convenor, self-study project.
Assessment
- 90% Coursework 1: 5,000 words.
- 10% Coursework 2: 1,000 words.
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
The aims of the module are:To prepare and support students in developing their research proposal for their thesis.To enhance skills in devising and managing pieces of research.To conduct a rigorous and critical review of literature in an area related to the student’s agreed topic(s) for their thesis.To outline the major issues associated with undertaking postgraduate research in the fields of public administration/public management and public policy/policy analysis.Learning Outcomes
1) Knowledge and Understanding
Students will have an in-depth appreciation of how to:
a) Plan, manage and write up a research proposal.
b) Conduct bibliographical searches.
2) Intellectual Skills
Students will:
a) Have developed the skills, experience and critical appreciation to produce a research proposal at doctoral level. This will include dealing with up to three complex issues creatively and systematically, demonstrating how they can be researched in a rigorous manner and articulating arguments for a research design or designs.
b) Be able to critically appraise and synthesis relevant literature and practices.
c) Have demonstrated originality in the application of knowledge and an understanding of how knowledge can be advanced through research.
d) Be able to reflect upon and critique their own work.
3) Professional Practical Skills
Students will:
a) Be able to identify and articulate research questions and problems that arise from professional practice.
b) Be able to critically reflect on, and appraise, the knowledge base and its relevance to professional practice.
c) Be autonomous in the planning and management of their research.
4) Transferable (Key) Skills
Students will have developed the skills, experience and critical appreciation to produce a dissertation proposal at doctoral level and this will involve:
a) Advanced literature search skills.
b) Project management skills, including organising resources and scheduling tasks.
c) Problem solving skills.
d) Negotiation skills.
e) Reflective skills.
f) Proposal writing.
g) Establishing and justifying an argument.
h) Skills of writing to house style.