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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

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Module Title
Module Code (ITS)
Faculty School
Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Iain McMenamin
Semester 2: Iain McMenamin
Autumn: Iain McMenamin
Module TeachersIain McMenamin
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
Coursework Only
To produce a research design and plan for the PAE.
Description

This module is designed to prepare you to complete the Policy Analysis Exercise (PAE), which accounts for one third of your MPP. This is a pass/ fail module for which you will be expected to produce a research design for your PAE. To prepare you for that the moduule will introduce you to research design and some research methods. Often the PAE is designed around specific policy instruments, in an attempt to assess their efficacy. The policy is then a treatment. We will deal with causal inference, and look at methods that help establish causality. There will also be a practical guide to how to do a PAE.

Learning Outcomes

1. Create a research design for a piece of original policy research
2. Present their research proposal to a group
3. Critically evaluate other research designs



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture22Attend and participate in class
Class Presentation3Prepare and present to class, engage with lecturer
Independent Study100Do reading and preparation for research deign
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

What is the PAE?
Finding a Public Policy Puzzle. Examples: Does education lead to an increase in income? Which hospital should I go to? Exercise: Making better questions

Building blocks for Theory Testing
Variables, concepts, unit of analysis, theories, hypotheses.

Collecting Evidence: Measurement
Level of measurement, types of measures, measurement error, reliability and validity.

Cause and Effect: Research Design
Covariance, temporal precedence, Internal and external validity, Regression to the Mean, causal mechanisms, control, Spurious relationships, DAGs, confounding, case or variable oriented design.

Different types of studies
Observational studies, sampling, RCTs, Statistical analyses, case studies, surveys, meta-analysis, process tracing.

Thinking Statistically
Endogeneity, selection bias, Bayesian analysis

A Practical Guide to the PAE
Having an argument, making it well

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment% Examination Weight%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Research PaperProduce a research proposal for the PAE100%n/a
PresentationPresent the research design0%n/a
Indicative Reading List

  • William M. K. Trochim: 2016, Research Methods: Knowledge Base, Cengage, 9788131530856
  • John Gerring,Dino Christenson: 2017, Applied Social Science Methodology, Cambridge University Press, 9781107416819
Other Resources

None

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