Postgraduate Module Descriptor

SOCM034: Social Data Science and Policy Analytics

This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.

How this Module is Assessed

In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.

Formative Assessment

A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Practical exercises	2 short exercises to be completed in class of 15 minutes each	1-4,8	Peer and Oral feedback

Summative Assessment

A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Data analysis short report 1	25	2,000 words plus tables, graphs based on data analysis	1-9	Written feedback
Data analysis short report 2	25	2,000 words plus tables, graphs based on data analysis	1-9	Written feedback
4,000 word research report	50	4,000 words plus tables, graphs based on data analysis	1-9	Written feedback

Re-assessment

Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Data analysis short report 1	Practical exercise 1 (2,000 words)	1-9	August/September reassessment period
Data analysis short report 2	Practical exercise 2 (2,000 words)	1-9	August/September reassessment period
4,000 word research report	4,000 word research report	1-9	August/September reassessment period

Indicative Reading List

This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.

Agresti, A. and Finlay, B. (2014) Statistical methods for social sciences. Upper Saddle Hall, NJ: Prentice Hall (4th edition).

Argyrous, G. (Ed.) (2009). Evidence for policy and decision-making: a practical guide. Sydney: University of New South Wales Press.

Bardach, E. (2011). A practical guide for policy analysis: The eightfold path to more effective problem solving. Washington, DC: CQ Press.

Burtless, G (1995) 'The Case for Randomized Field Trials in Economic and Policy Research'. Journal of Economic Perspectives, Spring 1995, pp 63-84.

Davis, H., Nutley, S. and Smith, P. (Eds.). What works?: evidence-based policy and practice in public services. Bristol: Policy Press.

Dunn, W. N. (2015). Public Policy Analysis (6th ed.). London: Routledge.

Imai, K. (2017). Quantitative Social Science: An Introduction. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

Layard, R. and Glaister, S. (2003). Cost benefit analysis. Cambridge University Press.

Positer, T.H. (2003). Measuring Performance in Public and Nonprofit Organizations. The Jossey-Bass Nonprofit and Public Management Series.

Wholey, J.S, Hatry, H.P. and Newcomer, K.E. (2004). Handbook of Practical Program Evaluation. Jossey Bass Nonprofit & Public Management Series.