Research Seminar "Public Policy Analysis"

Master 2020/2021

Type: Compulsory course (Political Analysis and Public Policy)

Area of studies: Political Science

Delivered by: Public Policy Department

Where: Faculty of Social Sciences

When: 2 year, 1-3 module

Mode of studies: offline

Instructors: Anna Nikitichna Potsar, Artem Uldanov

Master’s programme: Political Analysis and Public Policy

Language: English

ECTS credits: 3

Contact hours: 50

Full Syllabus

Abstract

The research seminar aims both methodological and substantive goals. The first one is to provide students with analytical and research skills required for writing academic articles, essays, reviews, reports, course papers and dissertation research on the public policy analysis, human rights and democratic governance. The second goal is to teach to students contemporary approaches to the research of public policy and human rights issues. Students will learn, explore and practice relevant methods of organization of public policy analysis & monitoring in various fields. As the result of this course, they will be able to draft and develop their master's thesis.

Learning Objectives

To familiarize students with the research and analysis methods, to introduce them the rules of drafting and developing of academic research texts of various genres clarifying the language peculiarities of academic writing
To develop professional skills and competences required for the preparation of master's theses, academic papers, reviews, etc. on public policy & human rights issues
To examine and discuss in the class the academic literature on the subject of the seminar, to help students choose proper academic references and data sources for their master's theses
To teach students the techniques and skills of scientific analysis of empirical data needed for their further professional activities

Expected Learning Outcomes

To know the requirements to the content and drafting of academic and applied research
Be able to summarize, compare and interpret data obtained from monitoring or other research methods
Be able to develop the program of the research in the field of public policy & human rights
Be able to use different data, apply different analysis methods in the public policy & human rights research and monitoring
Know how to draft and present in public the results of the academic research in the field of public policy & human rights

Course Contents

Introduction to Master’s Thesis preparation
Standards and requirements of master's level research. How to develop your topic, plan the schedule of preparations and work on the text.
Research topics
Why comparative part is so important and how to narrow down your research focus?
Research proposals discussion
Group and individual consultations on preparations of reserach proposal for master's thesis
Organizing and planning research internship
How to utilize your reserach internship in a most effective way and where to search for an internship position?
Progress reports and individual consultations
Final step in the development of master's thesis - we will discus current progress of students' research and resolve possible issues

Assessment Elements

First draft of a masters's thesis
Active participation in class
Literature review
Pre-defense and defense of internship's results
Due to COVID19 situation, this year's pre-defenses will be held in online format. We will use Zoom for videoconferences, students will be provided with a link to join the conference and must paticipate in accordance with the schedule announced by the study office. Students need to make sure that their Internet connection is stable enough to have a videoconference. The commision will tolerate disconnects, but a student must return to a conference in not more than 3 minutes. If connection problems persists, the commision will consider a possibility to reschedule the defense for a student. Reexaminations will be held in a standard for such kind of control form.
Research proposal
Progress report MA thesis

Interim Assessment

Interim assessment (1 module)
0.2 * Active participation in class + 0.3 * Literature review + 0.5 * Research proposal
Interim assessment (3 module)
0.3 * First draft of a masters's thesis + 0.5 * Pre-defense and defense of internship's results + 0.2 * Progress report MA thesis

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Goodin, R., Moran, M., & Rein, M. (2015). The Oxford handbook of public policy. Australia, Australia/Oceania: Oxford University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.3A27B9A0
Peters, B. G. (2013). Strategies for Comparative Research in Political Science. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire, UK: Palgrave Macmillan. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1522713

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Boys, J. D., & Keating, M. F. (2009). The Policy Brief: Building Practical and Academic Skills in International Relations and Political Science. Politics, 29(3), 201–208. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9256.2009.01356.x
Pennings, P. (2006). Doing research in political science : [an introduction to comparative methods and statistics] / Paul Pennings; Hans Keman and Jan Kleinnijenhuis. London [u.a.]: Sage. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.120331470
Vissoci, J. R. N., Rodrigues, C. G., de Andrade, L., Santana, J. E., Zaveri, A., & Pietrobon, R. (2013). A Framework for Reproducible, Interactive Research: Application to health and social sciences. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsarx&AN=edsarx.1304.5688
Wood, M. (2014). Building Bridges: What do Policymakers Really Want from Academics? A Reply. Politics, 34(3), 306–308. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9256.12065

Course Syllabus