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Crawford School of Public Policy · ANU College of Law, Governance and Policy
This course is a graduate-level introduction to empirical research in public policy. Designed for PhD students who are beginning their dissertation projects, the aim of the course is to give students the tools to pose focused research questions, develop answers with theoretical frameworks, formulate and refine concepts, construct valid and reliable measures, and finally to gather data. While other methodology courses teach students how to analyse data, this course emphasises the process of developing research questions and gathering high quality data for answering them. Particular attention is directed to problems, and strategies related to “small-n” qualitative research, for the most part setting aside the techniques of experimental, quasi-experimental as well as correlational analysis.
Development of research questions and research hypotheses
Learning outcomes 1, 2
Selection and presentation of an appropriate research design
Learning outcomes 2, 3
Development of a Thesis Proposal Review (TPR) draft (4000-6000 words)
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
This is an intensive course. Total contact time is 15 hours, conducted in person, 2.5 hours x 6 meetings Outside of contact hours: Preparation time of no less than 6 hours for every 2.5 hour session.
n/a Preliminary Reading See Wattle course site and class summary