Research Evaluation

120 hours. Attendance at all classes (tutorial/seminars/practical classes/lectures/labs/online classes) is obligatory. Failure to attend 80% of classes will normally result in failure in the subject.

An undergraduate degree or equivalent; at least 2 years of relevant experience; current employment in the sector.

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 Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject provides an overview of research evaluation and its place in science policy, and gives participants knowledge and insight in areas such as:

• the function of evaluation in science and the ways in which scientists, scientific processes and results are subject to evaluation;
• the institutional context of research evaluation in science policy, its function in governing the science system, organizationally, nationally and internationally;
• the type of evaluations that exist on different levels, for instance project, program, institutional evaluations and rankings, as well as the tools used in evaluations, such as peer review and metrics;
• the social and organizational impacts of evaluation on the science system;
• the ways in which evaluation can be studied scientifically;
• various approaches to evaluation research.

On completion the participants should be able to apply what they have learned, for example by:

• identifying relevant evaluation models for specific types of research activities;
• commissioning research evaluations from evaluators and set targets for evaluation studies;
• assessing the quality, significance and likely effects of research evaluation reports and communicate evaluation results to relevant stakeholders;
• design and manage a research evaluation;
• conduct research on evaluation in order to facilitate policy learning.

There are seven assessment tasks:

• Students must submit 3 empirical research reports of 1000 words each, graded assessment.

• Four online Discussion Board tasks (4 x 500-word commentaries on set readings) due every 2 weeks, pass/fail assessment. For any discussion board task submitted late, the task increases to a 1000 word commentary.

There is one hurdle requirement:

• Participate in 3 online webinars due every 2-3 weeks. For any webinar missed, students must write and post on the discussion board a 1000 word topic summary, drawing on the recorded webinar and related discussion board postings.

NB: All hurdle and assessment tasks must be passed.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completing the subject, participants should be able to:

• communicate on policy relevant topics in various contexts of application;
• investigate policy problems relating to evaluation and research;
• assess risks and benefits regarding different forms of evaluation;
• apply evaluation principles to different kinds of cases;
• make appropriate decisions regarding evaluation in different circumstances;
• make well-informed management decisions that consider specific contexts.