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Understanding Big Data for Public Policy (PPMN90055)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2024
Overview
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Policy makers need to under what big data is, how it is used, and what ethical and practical issues using big data to make decisions will raise in the 21st Century. They do not need to be programmers. They need to understand, at a high level, the issues involved in using big data for public policy, for the generation of public value.
At the core of this subject is one question: Will decision-making based on standardized measurements from large databases become superior to judgment based upon personal experience and expertise? Decisions based on big data are useful when the experience of any single policy maker is likely to be too limited to develop an intuitive feel for, or reliable measure, of a policy’s efficacy. Statistical analysis can sometimes discover neglected characteristics of a population are more significant than is recognized by intuitive understanding based on accumulated experience. But sometimes, big data—high volume, high velocity, qualitatively various—produces more problems for public policy makers than it solves.
This subject explores all of these important issues, from the basic definitions and history of big data to examples of the use, and misuse, of big data in public policy. No programming knowledge is assumed or required, and none will be taught. The issues for public sector managers raised by this subject will be debated and understood using case studies.
Intended learning outcomes
A student who has successfully completed this subject will:
- Understand the history and definition of big data as it applies to public policy
- Recognise the main types of learning models used to derive insights from big data
- Become familiar with the sources of big data in public policy, and
- Grasp the legal and ethical issues involved in using big data for the generation of value for the public.
Generic skills
- A student who has successfully completed this subject will: • Understand the history and definition of big data as it applies to public policy • Recognise the main types of learning models used to derive insights from big data • Become familiar with the sources of big data in public policy, and • Grasp the legal and ethical issues involved in using big data for the generation of value for the public.
Last updated: 30 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into a Masters level course in the Melbourne School of Government, or its partner Faculties
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
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: 30 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Case study precis of a big data problem as applied to a public policy issue
| 2 Weeks after the end of teaching | 40% |
Ethical and Bureaucratic issues with big data in public policies, large review of key literature and cases
| 4 Weeks after the end of teaching | 60% |
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 |
Last updated: 30 January 2024
Dates & times
Not available in 2024
Time commitment details
Total of 170 hours
Additional delivery details
Please note that this subject is delivered as an intensive and will run from 9:30am until 4:30pm on the scheduled days
Last updated: 30 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Readings will be provided online through the subject's LMS site prior to the commencement of the subject.
- Links to additional information
- 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.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 30 January 2024