Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit convenor
Dr. Adam Stebbing
Contact via Email
B272, Level 2 of Building B, Arts Precinct
Please see iLearn for details
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Credit points |
Credit points
10
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
20cp at 8000 level or above; or admission to MPSP or MPASR or GradCertPASR or GradDipPASR or MPlan
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
SOCX8020
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Unit description |
Unit description
Evaluation research is among the most common, and possibly most useful, forms of applied social science. Evaluation employs research methodologies to systematically assess a project, policy, program or social needs to set criteria. This unit surveys key topics and practice-based skills widely used in evaluation research that have potential applications in the public, non-profit, and for-profit private sectors. As this field of research is expansive, the unit primarily draws on case studies from social policy - public interventions that offer protection from social ills and are among those that impact most on everyday life - to provide focus for class sessions and assessments. Over the course of this unit, you will gain a clear understanding of key elements of evaluation research design, as well as the potential uses and misuses of this form of applied social policy research. |
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Academic Integrity is an intergral part of the core values and principles contained in the Macquarie University Ethics Statement. Its fundamental principle is that all staff and students act with integrity in the creation, development, application and use of ideas and information. This means that:
The grade that a student receives will signify their overall performance in meeting the learning outcomes of the unit of study. Graded units will use the following grades
HD High Distinction 85-100
D Distinction 75-84
Cr Credit 65-74
P Pass 50-64
F Fail 0-49
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University.
The University recognises that students may experience events or conditions that adversely affect their academic performance. If you experience serious and unavoidable difficulties at exam time or when assessment tasks are due, you can consider applying for Special Consideration.
You need to show that the circumstances:
More information about Special Consideration is available in the Policies and Procedures section of the unit guide. You can apply for Special Consideration via ask.mq.edu.au
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue.
This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (including essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic.
Macquarie University offers a range of wellbeing services (including [but not limited to]: health, welfare, counselling, disability and student advocacy services) that are available to you at any time during your studies. Student Wellbeing is here to support you and help you succeed, both academically and personally. More information is available in the Policies and Procedures section of the unit guide.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
---|---|---|---|
Online journal | 20% | No | 2024-08-28 |
Research Report | 40% | No | 2024-10-08 |
Take Home Exam | 40% | No | 2024-11-03 |
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: 2024-08-28
Weighting: 20%
Online blog
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: 2024-10-08
Weighting: 40%
1,500 word paper
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 28 hours
Due: 2024-11-03
Weighting: 40%
Taken home exam
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
This unit is delivered via 'fully online mode' and 'in person weekly scheduled mode'.
Fully online mode includes online lectures and weekly online activities. There are no on-campus sessions.
In person weekly scheduled mode includes in-person lectures and weekly tutorial activities that are both scheduled on-campus.
More information is in the Unit Schedule section of the unit guide.
There is no required textbook for SOCI8020. Required readings are online available via Leganto (see below).
The following technologies are used in this unit...
Make sure that you regularly check your student email for correspondence with teaching staff and unit announcements.
iLearn
Important information about the weekly schedule, course readings and assessment are all available on the course iLearn page. If you do not have access, please contact IT help. You are required to check iLearn and your student email regularly for course updates and information.
Turnitin
All written assessments need to be submitted online via Turnitin only. A link to Turnitin is available via the Assessments tab on the iLearn page. Please contact the convenor if you cannot find it (do not leave it until the day of the assessment). There is no need to submit a hard copy of the assessment or to include a cover sheet.
Grademark
Marks will be made available via Grademark. Other feedback will be made available online via iLearn. It will take four forms (in no particular order): specific comments in the text of your paper; overall comments; a score on a qualitative rubric (that cannot be used to calculate your mark numerically); and a numeric score. Once you have received your assignment back, please make sure that you have access to these forms of feedback.
Leganto
Leganto is the electronic system for accessing unit readings that can be accessed via the iLearn page. Readings are allocated via topic. As well as the required readings for each topic, you will find recommended and optional readings on Leganto. The required readings are available in pdf or electronic format. If you are not able to access the readings, please contact the unit convenor via email.
Zoom
Zoom is an online video conferencing software platform. It will not be used for compulsory unit sessions, but may be used for optional meetings and consultation.
SOCI8020 Evaluating Social Policy is delivered via 'fulling online' and 'in-person scheduled weekly' modes. Please attend the version of the unit that you are enrolled in. It has 13 topics that are structured into four modules, as the table shows.
Module | Topic # | Topic title |
Module 1. Foundations of Social Policy | 1 | Introducing 'Evaluating Social Policy' |
2 | Defining Social Policy | |
3 | Understanding the Welfare State | |
Module 2. Evaluative Tools & Frameworks | 4 | Theories of Change |
5 | Program Logic Models | |
6 | Designing Evaluation Frameworks | |
Module 3. Impact Evaluation | 7 | Measuring Outcomes, Measuring Impact? |
8 | Randomised Controlled Trials: Uses & Misuses | |
9 | Participatory Impact Evaluations | |
10 | Realist Impact Evaluations | |
Module 4. Complexity, Social Policy & Ethical Evaluations | 11 | Complexity, Social Policy & Ethical Evaluation |
12 | Developmental Evaluation | |
13 | Evidence-Informed Policy? / Unit Conclusion |
The 13 topics are intended to mirror the 13 week semester. Topics 1 to 13 are available 'fully online' as well as 'on-campus' sessions. Please see the SOCI8020 iLearn page for more information.
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Late Assessment Submission Penalty
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of‚ 0 (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue.
This late penalty will apply to non-time sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
The main changes from the previous offering include the updating of lecture content and tutorials.
Unit information based on version 2024.01 of the Handbook