Latest Module Specifications
Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026
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Description The need for more evidence-informed decisions in government is a regular theme of public service reform programmes, and recent initiatives have emphasised the need to enhance evaluation capacity within government and public service organisations. In public policy-making and public programmes, evaluation has been defined as the “assessment of merit, worth and value of administration, output, and outcome of government interventions, which is intended to play a role in future practical action situations” (Vedung). This module provides an overview of the link between evaluation exercises and wider policy-making processes, evaluation and implementation, the emphases of different evaluation exercises and approaches, and related approaches such as process evaluation and performance measurement systems. The course also explores ways evaluation findings might contribute more to policy-making. The module complements other modules in the MSc in Public Policy programme by giving students a firm understanding of the principles of evaluation and different evaluation approaches and purposes. By exploring these themes, students gain a deeper critical understanding of different approaches to policy evaluation and the role evaluation can play in the policy-making process. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. Understand the place of evaluation within policy-making and different approaches to policy-making. 2. Understand and recognise the different uses, purposes and emphasis of evaluation exercises. 3. Appreciate some insights from established process evaluation techniques and the strengths and limitations of different evaluation approaches. 4. Appreciate how evaluation findings and research can be integrated into the policy process. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Policy-Making and Evaluation Evaluation and Implementation Policy Evaluation Uses, Purposes and Audiences Process Evaluation and Developing a Programme Logic Model Performance Measurement Making the Most of Evaluation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List Books:
Articles: None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Other Resources None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||