Using Evidence (PADM90008)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Online
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
Overview
| Availability | October - Online |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
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.
Using Evidence is one of the core subjects in the Melbourne School of Government's Public Administration program. It is one of three professionally-oriented subjects that 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.
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
Admission into one of the following:
- MC-PA Master of Public Administration
- MC-PAENH Master of Public Administration (Enhanced)
- GCA-PA Graduate Certificate in Public Administration (Advanced)
- SC-PA Specialist Certificate in Public Administration
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
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Introductory Exercise: A paper that reflects on professional experience of the use of evidence, due at the start of the teaching period
| Early in the teaching period | 20% |
Reflection on Main Themes: a presentation slidedeck and written justification of the key lessons included
| 2 Weeks after the end of teaching | 25% |
Team Project: A team-based proposal for an evaluation of a policy or program
| 4 Weeks after the end of teaching | 30% |
Case Study: a case study response to a case supplied in class
| 6 Weeks after the end of teaching | 25% |
| Hurdle requirement: Students are required to attend 100% of classes in order to pass this subject, and regular class participation is expected. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- October - Online
Principal coordinator Jeff Borland Mode of delivery Online Contact hours 24 hours over 3 days (October 8, 9, 10) Total time commitment 170 hours Pre teaching start date 24 September 2021 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 8 October 2021 to 10 October 2021 Last self-enrol date 27 September 2021 Census date 8 October 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 29 October 2021 Assessment period ends 19 November 2021 October contact information
Time commitment details
Total 170 hours
Additional delivery details
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
- 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.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
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