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Using Evidence (PADM90008)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
October
Overview
Availability | October |
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Fees | Look up fees |
Using Evidence is one of the core subjects in the Melbourne Master of Public Administration. The Melbourne MPA is an interdisciplinary, globally-focused degree program for managers that work within or with government. This subject is one of three professionally-oriented subjects and it builds on the World of Public Administration and the core discipline subjects to develop the professional skills of participants with a particular focus on using evidence in managerial practice.
This subject will explore the issues of evidence construction and use in practice, allowing participants to reflect on their professional experience and develop their ability to be ‘smart consumers’ of information in a professional setting. It will explore how evidence is created, by whom, and for what purpose, exposing participants to the ongoing debates regarding evidence-based policy-making, data-driven decision-making, and, more broadly, the creation of knowledge. It will place a particular emphasis on the complex relationship between scientific advancement and the challenges this poses to leaders, managers and policy makers.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject should:
- Understand the nature of evidence, its foundation, and how it is created;
- Acquire knowledge of the social, theoretical, historical and disciplinary bases of evidence and how this impacts on decision making during the managerial, policy design and implementation phases;
- Develop a deep understanding of the skills and capabilities required to meet contemporary management practice; and
- Appreciate how to apply new skills and capabilities in decision making to managerial practice.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should have:
- a sound understanding of the principles of evidence and evidence-based decision-making, and their foundations;
- a high-level ability to combine theory and practice in order to address managerial challenges, and to do so in response to the meaningful use of evidence;
- a high-level ability to combine professional skills with discipline-based expertise, in particular in relation to the use of evidence;
- a highly-developed capacity to adapt to new situations and reflect upon professional practice, using evidence-based policy-making and data-driven decision-making in order to meet managerial challenges; and
- flexible communication skills with a highly-attuned sensitivity to a diverse audience, and to the issues specific to cross-cultural communication.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Please note that to enrol in this subject:
- Students must be admitted to the Master of Public Administration, Master of Public Administration (Enhanced), Graduate Certificate in Public Administration (Advanced) or Specialist Certificate in Public Administration
- Students must have successfully completed PADM90007 The World of Public Administration
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
PADM90007 | The World of Public Administration |
February (On Campus - Parkville)
July (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Previous study in public policy, political science, management, law, business, economics, international relations, non-profit management or cognate area.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- Introductory Exercise: A 1000-word paper that reflects on professional experience of the use of evidence, due at the start of the teaching period (20%)
- Reflection on Main Themes: A presentation slidedeck and written justification of the key lessons included (1500 words-equivalent), due 2 weeks after the teaching period (25%)
- Team Project: A 2000-word team-based proposal for an evaluation of a policy or program, due 4 weeks after the teaching period (30%)
- Case Study: A case study response of 1500 words to a case supplied in class, due 6 weeks after the teaching period (25%)
- Hurdle requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 100% of classes in order to pass this subject, and regular class participation is expected
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- October
Principal coordinator Jeff Borland Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 hours total: this subject is delivered as an intensive over 3 days Total time commitment 170 hours Pre teaching start date 5 October 2018 Pre teaching requirements Students will be required to access the LMS and the readings provided in order to prepare for the first assessment task, which is due at the start of the teaching period. Students will be able to contact the subject coordinator for support during the pre-teaching period. Teaching period 19 October 2018 to 21 October 2018 Last self-enrol date 8 October 2018 Census date 19 October 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 9 November 2018 Assessment period ends 30 November 2018 October contact information
Time commitment details
Total 170 hours
Additional delivery details
Delivery mode:
Intensive, and with a pre-teaching period.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Readings will be provided online through the subject's LMS site prior to the commencement of subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
Last updated: 3 November 2022