Enrolments for 2022 have closed.
Evaluating Social Policy
Postgraduate | MAQ-SOCX8020 | 2022
Previously MAQ-SOCX818
Course information for 2022 intake
View information for 2023 course intake- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 18 weeks
FEE-HELP available
Evaluating Social Policy
About this subject
On successful completion you will be able to
- demonstrate specialised knowledge of evaluation design and approaches
- create technical models of a social project, program or policy that visually presents its organising logic
- critically analyse evidence from evaluations of social policy and public policy
- research and apply evaluation tools and approaches to assess social and public policy
- communicate knowledge, skills and ideas about evaluation research to specialist and non-specialist audiences
- "A week-by-week guide to the topics you will explore in this subject will be provided in your study materials."
This subject was previously known as SOCX818 Evaluation and the Policy Process.
Evaluation is among the most common, and possibly most useful, forms of applied social research. It involves using research methodologies to systematically assess a policy or program to set criteria. This unit surveys key topics and practice-based skills widely used in evaluation research that have potential applications in the public, non-profit, and for-profit private sectors. As this field of research is expansive, the unit primarily draws on case studies from social policy - public interventions that are amongst those that have most bearing on the everyday lives of the citizenry - to provide focus for class sessions and assessments. The unit proceeds in four modules. The first module provides context by engaging with key understandings of social policies and programs. The second module introduces key evaluation tools and skills for understanding programs and focusing research. The third module focuses on issues in designing and carrying out evaluations, from small-scale projects to those analysing 'big data'. And, the fourth module discusses the politics of evaluation and evidence in policy making to draw out key political and ethical questions. Across these four modules, you will gain a clear understanding of key elements of evaluation research design, as well as the potential uses and misuses of this form of applied social policy research.
- Online journal (20%)
- Research report (40%)
- Take home examination (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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- 10
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 10
Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Core
- MAQ-PSP-MAS-2022 - Master of Public and Social Policy
Elective
- MAQ-INT-MAS-2022 - Master of Intelligence
- MAQ-CYB-MAS-2022 - Master of Cyber Security Analysis
- MAQ-CRM-MAS-2022 - Master of Criminology
- MAQ-MCT-MAS-2022 - Master of Counter Terrorism
- OUA-PSU-GCE-2022 - Postgraduate Single Subjects
- MAQ-SEC-MAS-2022 - Master of Security and Strategic Studies
- UNE-PRO-GCE-2022 - Graduate Certificate in Professional Practice
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
MAQ-SOCX818 (Not currently available)
Others
Admission to MPSP or MPASR or GradCertPASR or GradDipPASR (OUA)
NCCW (pre-2020 units) SGYX818, SOC818, SOCX818
NCCW (2020 and onwards) SOCI8020 Evaluating Social Policy
Additional requirements
- Other requirements -
Students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy are not permitted to enrol in OUA units offered by Macquarie University. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Related degrees
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Postgraduate
MAQ-PSP-MASPostgraduate
MAQ-INT-MASPostgraduate
MAQ-CYB-MASPostgraduate
MAQ-CRM-MASPostgraduate
MAQ-MCT-MASPostgraduate
OUA-PSU-GCEPostgraduate
MAQ-SEC-MASPostgraduate
UNE-PRO-GCE