RSCH08009 2022 Evidence Informed Policy and Advocacy
Full Title
Evidence Informed Policy and Advocacy
Transcript Title
Evidence Policy and Advocacy
Code
RSCH08009
Attendance
N/A %
Subject Area
RSCH - Research
Department
SOCS - Social Sciences
Level
08 - NFQ Level 8
Credit
05 - 05 Credits
Duration
Semester
Fee
€
Start Term
2022 - Full Academic Year 2022-23
End Term
9999 - The End of Time
Author(s)
Elizabeth Haran, Breda McTaggart, Martha Doyle, Brenda Feeney, Cheryl McMullin, Ailise McDowell
Programme Membership
SG_HJOIN_H08 202200 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Sociology and Politics
SG_HEARL_H08 202200 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Early Childhood Care and Education
Description
In this module, we will examine the complex inter-dependence between, policy, advocacy and research evidence. Examining this relationship across a range of different case studies, we will explore the economic, sociological, cultural and political landscape both nationally and internationally, to situate current challenges faced by individuals and communities which are of direct relevance to government policy.
This module will enable students to evaluate and critique the strengths and limitations of research evidence, its role in supporting advocacy campaigns, policy development and implementation, and its potential to influence improvement, or deterioration, in public policy to the population of persons which advocacy organisations seek to support. In so doing, it seeks to critically explore how research evidence is produced, disseminated and used or misused in policy development, advocacy and health and social care practice.
This is an interdisciplinary module which builds upon learning acquired across the BA programmes in the areas of research, sociology, psychology, social and policy. It will provide students with the opportunity to examine the current policy frameworks in Ireland and how these can be changed and influenced by research evidence, greater service user engagement, advocacy campaigns or professionals working with vulnerable groups in society. Students will have an opportunity to pick their own topics of interest, examine the policy, advocacy and research landscape which has informed this area and advance new ways of tackling the social problem under review.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;
1.
Review and critically evaluate the place of research within policy.
2.
Demonstrate a capacity to strategically identify appropriate research evidence and, source, evaluate, interpret and deploy quantitative and qualitative research data.
3.
Develop skills to repurpose research and other data for specific audiences and situations.
4.
Critically examine the role of the service-user in Irish government health and social care policy.
5.
Demonstrate a critical understanding of societal structures, systems and cultures and the role of advocacy in promoting the needs and interests of individuals and communities.
Teaching and Learning Strategies
Teaching is through 2-hour interactive lecture. Students will be expected to read suggested materials prior to lectures/tutorials; to engage actively in discussion and debate, and to regularly reflect on their learning.
Module Assessment Strategies
The module is assessed through student-centred tasks that seek to authentically assess the relevant range of skills and knowledge, in an integrative manner. There are 2 assessment tasks - each of which is linked to one part of the module. Specific links are made with work produced for other modules where appropriate, specifically the research dissertation/product and professional placement modules. The assessment tasks require students to take an active, rather than passive, role in knowledge production and necessitate attention to issues of audience, genre, and diversity.
An evidence informed case study (topic) on a sociological/political issue in contemporary Irish society.
Development of a solution focused advocacy policy pitch.
Repeat Assessments
Students who are required to repeat assessments will be provided with relevant individual coursework projects, to be completed during June- August.
Indicative Syllabus
The lectures will introduce students to the concepts of evidence ‘informed policy and advocacy`, 'service user involvement' and ‘knowledge transfer’ and consider how governments are using evidence informed policy to bring about a change to public funded social services in Ireland. A variety of sociological and political contemporary issues will be explored with reference to the intersection of evidence, service user involvement, advocacy, and policy implementation.
The lectures will provide an overview of the principles of quantitative and qualitative research paradigms and the importance of identifying quality research and skills to evaluate and critique its purpose, utility, and relevance to the field of practice policy implementation and advocacy. Lectures will consider the data that is collected and used by government and the challenging of using evidence to inform policy development.
Case studies will be used to highlight the connection between policy, advocacy and evidence. Potential case study topics will include- Global Pandemic-health care, mental health, gender equality, climate change and sustainable living, wealth divide and poverty, addictions, older adulthood, homelessness, disability, ethnicity, and culture. (These will change from year to year).
LO1 Review and critically evaluate the place of research within policy.
Students will debate the importance of evidence informed policy and consider the challenges of incorporating evidence into policy making. Critically considering the systems that are required to gather evidence, students will have the opportunity to explore and identify national and international organisations which offer a wealth of research data including the OECD, European Union, ESRI, WHO, the HSE and the CSO. Students will engage in web and database searches to identify what research evidence is available and used by government and critique its relevance for the development of evidence-informed policy.
LO2 Demonstrate a capacity to strategically identify appropriate research evidence and, source, evaluate, interpret and deploy quantitative and qualitative research data.
Students will critically reflect on the relevance of different research paradigms and consider what is the best available evidence across a range of different policy issues.
LO3 Develop skills to repurpose research and other data for specific audiences and situations.
Having identified research and sources students will learn how to present their policy case study/pitch and make arguments to support their own advocacy initiative. This will be enabled by class debates, role-play and/or simulation activities and assessments.
LO4 Critically examine the role of the service-user in Irish government health and social care policy.
Students will be encouraged to use case studies and reflect on the extent to which the service user perspective/voice is incorporated into policy development. This will be facilitated through a critical exploration of policy documents, debate, reflection on practice and from guest speakers.
LO5 Demonstrate a critical understanding of societal structures, systems and cultures and the role of advocacy in promoting the needs and interests of individuals and communities.
The role of advocacy in advancing the voice of the service user is very important and students need to be encouraged to explore their function in the policy making process. This will be developed through case studies, watching video vignettes, and exploring contemporary societal issues through debate.
Coursework & Assessment Breakdown
Coursework & Continuous Assessment
100 %
Coursework Assessment
| Title | Type | Form | Percent | Week | Learning Outcomes Assessed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A case study (topic) on a sociological/political issue in contemporary Irish society. | Coursework Assessment | Written Report/Essay | 40 % | Week 7 | 1,2,3 |
| 2 | Development of advocacy policy pitch | Project | Project | 60 % | Week 12 | 4,5 |
Full Time Mode Workload
| Type | Location | Description | Hours | Frequency | Avg Workload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | Lecture Theatre | Weekly lecture | 2 | Weekly | 2.00 |
| Independent Learning | Offsite Facility | Independent Learning | 2 | Weekly | 2.00 |
Total Full Time Average Weekly Learner Contact Time 2.00 Hours
Required & Recommended Book List
Required Reading
2022-01-13 Social Policy, Service Users and Carers Palgrave Macmillan
ISBN 3030698750 ISBN-13 9783030698751
2022-01-13 Social Policy, Service Users and Carers Palgrave Macmillan
ISBN 3030698750 ISBN-13 9783030698751
This textbook provides a greater understanding of the lived effect that social policies have on service users and carers. While service user and carer involvement has become more and more prominent in social policy over recent years, it is rarely the case that the perspectives of service users and carers goes beyond consultation to truly meaningful involvement and co-production. This book is unique in that it has ten substantive co-produced chapters with service users and carers who have direct lived experiences of social policies. The chapters include lived experiences of direct payments, domestic violence and abuse, looked after children, being a foster carer, receiving long term health and social care, welfare to work, mental health, the transition to leaving care and being a carer. The ground-breaking textbook draws on these lived experiences to highlight key lessons that are relevant to social policy, and will provide an impetus towards changes to make such polices better support service users and carers. We hope that this book will inspire academics, policy makers, students and practitioners but, most importantly, it will encourage service users and carers to come forward with their own narratives to further shape social policy.
Module Resources
Non ISBN Literary Resources
Module Resources (Relevant reading materials specific to lecture and case studies will also be made available on Moodle)
Non ISBN Literary Resources
Abelson, D. (2009) Do think tanks matter? Assessing the impact of public policy institutions. Ontario: McGill-Queens University Press.
Aveyard, H. and P. Sharp (2009) A beginners guide to evidence based practice in health and social care. Milton Keynes: Open University Press.
Becker, S. and A. Bryman (2004) Understanding research for social policy and practice: Themes, methods and approaches. Bristol: Policy Press.
Bishop, G.and T. Mockabee (2011) Taking the pulse of public opinion: Leading and misleading indicators of the state on the nation. Springer.
Boaz, A. and R. Pawson (2005) 'The perilous road from evidence to policy: Five journeys compared'. Journal of Social Policy 34 (2) pp. 175-194.
Boaz, A., L. Grayson, R. Levitt :-:-amp:::: W. Solesbury (2008) 'Does evidence-based policy work? Learning from the UK experience'. Evidence and Policy 4 (2), pp. 233-53.
Boaz, A., S. Fitzpatrick :and : B. Shaw (2009) 'Assessing the impact of research on policy: a literature review'. Science and Public Policy 36(4), pp. 255-270.
Boddy J., A. Boaz, C. Lupton :and J. Pahl (2006) 'What counts as research? The implications for research governance in social care'. International Journal of Social Research Methodology 9 (4), pp. 1364-5579.
Cairney, P. (2016) The politics of evidence-based policy making. London: Palgrave
Farrelly, T. (2013) 'Evidence-based practice in social care'. In K. Lalor :-:-amp:::: P. Share (eds) Applied social care: An introduction for students in Ireland. Dublin: Gill and Macmillan.
Flynn, C and McDermott, F (2017) Doing Research in Social Work and Social Care : The Journey from Student to Practitioner Researcher, London:Sage.
Freeman, R., S. Griggs :and : A. Boaz (2011) 'The practice of policy making'. Evidence :-:-amp:::: Policy, 7 (2), pp. 127-136.
Glasby, J. (2011) Evidence, policy and practice: Critical perspectives in health and social care. Bristol: Policy Press.
Haynes L., O. Service, B. Goldacre :and: D. Torgerson (2012) Test, learn, adapt: Developing public policy with randomised controlled trials. London: Cabinet Office Behavioural Insights Team. [www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/62529/TLA-1906126.pdf]
Hearn, G., J. Tacchi :-and: M. Foth (2009) Action research and the new media. Hampton Press.
Hudson, J. :and:: S. Love (2009) Understanding the policy process: Analysing welfare policy and practice. Bristol: Policy Press.
Lindsay, B. (2007) Understanding research and evidence-based practice. Exeter: Reflect Press.
Locock, L. and A. Boaz (2004) :-:-#8216::::Research, policy and practice-worlds apart?:-:-#8217:::: Journal of Society and Social Policy 3 (4) pp. 375-84.
Lunn, P. :and F. Ruane (eds) (2013) Using evidence to inform policy. Dublin: Economic and Social Research Institute.
McNiff, J. and A. Whitehead (2011) All you need to know about action research. London: Sage.
Moule, P. (2011) Making sense of research: An introduction for health and social care practitioners. London: Sage.
Nutley, S., S. Morton, T. Jung :-:-amp:::: A. Boaz (2010) 'Evidence and policy in six European countries: diverse approaches and common challenges'. Evidence :-:-amp:::: Policy 6.
Parkhurst,J (2016) The Politics of Evidence: From evidence-based policy to goog governance of evidence. London:Routledge
Share, P., M. Corcoran :-:-amp:::: B. Conway (2012) 'Irish sociology'. In Sociology of Ireland. Dublin: Gill and Macmillan.
Spicker, P. (2006) Policy analysis for practice: Applying social policy. Oxford. Polity.
Stoker, G. and: M. Evans (2016) Evidence-based policy making in the social sciences: Methods that matter. Bristol: Policy Press.
Thompson, N (2017) Promoting Equality Working with Diversity and Difference, U.K, Bloomsburry.
Thompson, N., (2020). Anti-discriminatory practice: Equality, diversity and social justice. Bloomsbury Publishing.
Wadsworth, Y. (1998). Everyday evaluation on the run. Sydney: Allen :-:-amp:::: Unwin.
Wadsworth, Y. (2010). Building in research and evaluation: Human inquiry for living systems. Walnut Creek [CA]: Left Coast Press.
Welner, K., P. Hinchey, A. Molner :-:-amp:::: D. Weitzman (eds) (2010) Think tank research quality: Lessons for policy makers, the media and the public. Charlotte [NC]: Information Age Publishing.
Wodorski, J. and: L. Hopson (2011) Research methods for evidence-based practice. London: Sage.
Zetter, L. (2011) Lobbying: The art of political persuasion. London: Harriman Home Publishing.
URL Resources
Campbell collaboration [www.campbellcollaboration.org]
Center on the Developing Child [developingchild.harvard.edu]
Chapin Hall [www.chapinhall.org/research]
Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy [evidencebasedprograms.org]
Cochrane collaboration [www.cochrane.org]
EPPI Centre [eppi.ioe.ac.uk/cms/]
Health Well [www.thehealthwell.info]
Mathematica Policy Research [www.mathematica-mpr.com/our-focus-areas/early-childhood]
National Institute for Clinical Excellence [www.nice.org.uk]
Practice and Research Together (PART) [www.partcanada.org]
Research Connections [www.researchconnections.org]
Research in Practice (Dartington Hall) [www.rip.org.uk]
Social Care Institute for Excellence [www.scie.org.uk]
The economic and Social Research Institute
Central statistics office
Journal Resources
URL Resources
Campbell collaboration [www.campbellcollaboration.org]
Center on the Developing Child [developingchild.harvard.edu]
Chapin Hall [www.chapinhall.org/research]
Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy [evidencebasedprograms.org]
Cochrane collaboration [www.cochrane.org]
EPPI Centre [eppi.ioe.ac.uk/cms/]
Health Well [www.thehealthwell.info]
Mathematica Policy Research [www.mathematica-mpr.com/our-focus-areas/early-childhood]
National Institute for Clinical Excellence [www.nice.org.uk]
Practice and Research Together (PART) [www.partcanada.org]
Research Connections [www.researchconnections.org]
Research in Practice (Dartington Hall) [www.rip.org.uk]
Social Care Institute for Excellence [www.scie.org.uk]
Other Resources
Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission https://www.ihrec.ie/
Government of Ireland Policies https://www.gov.ie/en/policies/
Irish Staute Book https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/statutory.html
Standards of Proficiency in Social Care Work CORU https://coru.ie/files-education/scwrb-standards-of-proficiency-for-social-care-workers.pdf
Health Information and Quality Authority Ireland HIQA https://www.hiqa.ie/
The economic and Social Research Institute
Central statistics office
Additional Information
None