Recent Approaches to Research/Evaluation

This subject is not offered in 2013.

120 hours total time commitment

It is preferable to have completed EDUC90713 Program Evaluation: Forms and Approaches prior to commencement of this subject.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Objectives, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject aims to present recent approaches used within various types of research and ‘early-stage’ or developmental evaluations. Topics include: Needs Assessment; Literature Syntheses; Action Research; Participatory Research/Evaluation, and; Appreciative Inquiry. These activities can assist with decision-making about programs and policy development.

Cutting-edge techniques used in association with these approaches will also be introduced and practised. Methods to be covered include: The Nominal Group Technique; Ideawriting; Most Significant Change Technique; Search Conferences; and Photo Language. Exercises will draw on real examples of research and evaluation practice.

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

• understand various forms of small-scale research and evaluation needed for program design, development of programs and program improvement;
•choose appropriate approaches to answer particular research and evaluation questions;
• understand the theory underpinning various approaches and techniques;
•apply each of the techniques presented through practice; and
•write research and evaluation reports that incorporate these approaches.

There are three pieces of assessment:

• Written task of 1500 words due in Week 4 (30% );
• Written task of 3000 words due at the end of the subject (60%);
• Class or forum participation throughout the semester (10%).

None

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.