Professional Practice in Policy Research (PPMN90010)

Intended learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:

• Identify and explain major challenges in contemporary processes of public policy making and public sector management with a nuanced appreciation of the expectations and roles of key actors and institutions;
• Critically select and employ appropriate research methods and techniques based on rigorous analysis, careful consideration of a range of data sources and cogent methodological frameworks along with an appreciation of emerging and innovative professional practices to establish strong evidentiary foundations;
• Demonstrate mastery of the latest scholarship with confidence to meticulously and analytically discern and appraise contextual factors that could influence or impact desired policy or organisational outcomes;
• Comfortably and assuredly work within complex policy and managerial environments to creatively and expertly distinguish between different dilemmas and opportunities and to tailor strategies to empower a range of key actors to negotiate change;
• Create a substantial public policy and management research project and clearly and persuasively communicate to key decision makers through comprehensive presentations and written reports.

Generic skills

• advanced understanding of complex policy, governance and public management concepts and the ability to express them lucidly in writing and orally;
• critical and strong reasoning skills, and creativity in applying theory and research practices to complex practical problems across diverse contexts;
• autonomy, self-motivation, self-direction and outstanding organisational skills to set goals and manage time and priorities.