This course introduces HDR students to the main paradigms, concepts, and approaches to researching public policy, and establishes the present and potential role of applied public policy interventions in effectively responding to key problems in the contemporary world. The course offers training and knowledge in the production, assessment and communication of research in public policy. The course provides a common introductory grounding in public policy as a multi-disciplinary field of research in both Australian and international contexts. 

 

Fostering Public Policy Research orients students to the meaning of research excellence in public policy, from a variety of disciplinary and methodological perspectives. The course critically engages with public policy research methodologies and practices across key sub-disciplines. 

 

Student engagement will be promoted through a series of lecture-discussions led by the Crawford School Director, and the four HDR programs in the Crawford School. The course will feature plenaries or roundtables with public policy experts and practitioners. Case studies of public policy interventions and outcomes will be presented and discussed. Students will reflect on how their HDR program will align with and engage with the concerns and methodologies of public policy research in Australia and/or internationally. 

 This is a compulsory course for all Crawford School PhD students.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Explain what public policy is, and why it matters.
2. Exhibit fluency with key concepts and paradigms of public policy scholarship.
3. Understand questions, methodological approaches, and practices of public policy research across key disciplines and contexts.
4. Clarify how their PhD research aligns with the public policy discipline or public policy concerns.

Research-Led Teaching

This course introduces HDR students to the main paradigms, concepts, and approaches to researching public policy, and establishes the present and potential role of applied public policy interventions in effectively responding to key problems in the contemporary world. The course offers training and knowledge in the production, assessment and communication of research in public policy. The course provides a common introductory grounding in public policy as a multi-disciplinary field of research in both Australian and international contexts.

Required Resources

Indicative Readings:

Theories of and in the Policy Process

David L. Weimer, The Policy Studies Journal, Vol. 36, No. 4, 2008

 

Policy Theory, Policy Theory Everywhere: Ravings of a Deranged Policy Scholar

Kenneth J. Meier, The Policy Studies Journal, Vol. 37, No. 1, 2009

 

Wild Policy: Indigeneity and the Unruly Logics of Intervention

Tess Lea, Stanford University Press, 2020

 

Patton, C. D. Sawicki, and J. Clark (2013). Basic Methods of Policy Analysis and Planning. London: Routledge. Read Chapter 2 The Policy Analysis Process & Chapter 3 Cross-cutting Methods. (pp. 21-133)

 

Evans, D. (2015). Bridge the Gap between Research and Policy, One Panel Discussion (and 145 Studies) at a Time.

https://blogs.worldbank.org/impactevaluations/bridge-gap-between-research-and-policy-one-panel-discussion-and-145-studies-time

 

Connelly, S. and C. Anderson (2007). “Studying water: reflections on the problems and possibilities of interdisciplinary working.” Interdisciplinary Science Reviews. 32(3): 213-220.

 

Faustino, J. and R. Fabella (2011). “Engendering Reform.” pp. 1-16. In The Asia Foundation. Built on Dreams, Grounded in Reality: Economic Policy Reform in the Philippines. Makati City: The Asia Foundation.  

 

Russell-Smith, J. et al. (2015). “Moving Beyond Evidence-Free Environmental Policy.” Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. 13(8): 441-448.

 

Sutton, Rebecca (1999). The Policy Process: An Overview. Working Paper No. 118. Overseas Development Institute: London.

 

Wedel, J. et al. (2005). “Toward an Anthropology of Public Policy.” Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science. 600: 30-51.

World Bank (2008). The Political Economy of Policy Reform: Issues and Implications for Policy Dialogue and Development Operations. Social Development Department. November 2008.

 

Other resources and suggestions may be updated on the Wattle site

 

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying remotely, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Public Policy Research through 4 programs (1.5 h)	Class participation and discussion - ongoing See assessment tasks for other assessments
2	Public Policy Research, POGO (3 h)	Class participation and discussion - ongoing See assessment tasks for other assessments
3	Public Policy Research, Economic Program (3 h)	Class participation and discussion - ongoing See assessment tasks for other assessments
4	Public Policy Research, READ Program (3 h)	Class participation and discussion - ongoing See assessment tasks for other assessments
5	Public Policy Research, NSC Program (3 h)	Class participation and discussion - ongoing See assessment tasks for other assessments
6	Wrap up and social (1.5 h)	Class participation and discussion - ongoing See assessment tasks for other assessments

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Class participation and discussion	10 %	*	*	1, 2
Critical reflections on classes or readings - total of 1 reflection on classes or readings.	30 %	18/02/2022	28/02/2022	1, 2, 3
Short class presentation	30 %	18/02/2022	28/02/2022	1,2,3,4
Student research statement on public policy	30 %	18/02/2022	28/02/2022	4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Class participation and discussion

Students should engage in the course as part of cohort-building and professional socialization. Students are encouraged to participate in discussions of key themes of public policy research, according to a variety of disciplinary and methodological approaches, or about the professionalization of HDR students.

Assessment Task 2

Critical reflections on classes or readings - total of 1 reflection on classes or readings.

Word count for reflection paper is 250 words each, or about 1 double-spaced typed page.

Students may reflect on the discussion of a program, or across programs, or on the readings assigned on the previous day. The reflection caps an exposure to public policy research in or across programs, or on readings.

The critical reflection paper is due the following morning.

So, reflection papers about programs or readings on 16 February are due the morning of 17 February, to the respective lecturers for the programs of 16 February.

And, reflection papers about programs or readings on 17 February are due the morning of 18 Feburary, to the respective lecturers for the programs of 17 February.

And, programs or readings on 18 February are due the morning of 19 February, to the respective lecturers for the programs of 18 February.

Reflection papers across programs, please send to the lecturer of the afternoon sessions of the respective days

Assessment Task 3

Short class presentation

All students will provide oral presentations of about 10 mins. This promotes sharing of initial ideas on how the students’ thesis research projects may be linked to public policy issues and policy processes.

In the first instance, students will present at the program in which they are enrolled.

Thus, POGO HDR students will present at POGO session; NSC HDR students will present at the NSC session; and READ HDR students will present at the READ session.

ACDE students are the largest cohort. Some will present at the ACDE sessions, but others may present at other program sessions.

ATTENTION: POGO students should be prepared to present on the 1st day of class, since the POGO session is on the 1st day.

Assessment Task 4

Student research statement on public policy

Word count for statement on linking PhD research to public policy is about 500 words, or about 2 double-spaced typed pages.

The Research statement on public policy will stimulate students to consider (at an early stage) and write on how their doctoral research could or will engage with key questions, problems and methodologies of public policy research.

Writing is among the hardest tasks for PhDs, so early and continuing writing steeps students in the habit.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students