POPLHLTH 705 : Evaluation Research Methods

Medical and Health Sciences

2020 Semester One (1203) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Provides a comprehensive outline of the nature of programme evaluation in the health sector and an overview of a variety of approaches to programme evaluation and the appropriate use of research tools. Includes logic models, stakeholder analysis, the development of objectives, indicators, client surveys and interviews. Emphasis on mixed methods evaluation designs involving qualitative and quantitative data gathering.

Course Overview

The purpose of POPLHLTH 705 is to prepare students for addressing the theoretical, ethical and practical challenges involved in undertaking programme evaluation. The course uses critical thinking, discussion and case studies to consider the breadth of evaluation approaches available for different purposes and contexts. Assignments begin with theoretical and ethical issues, then build towards the writing of an evaluation proposal for a programme operating in New Zealand’s health and wellbeing sector.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Master of Public Health

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Describe and compare the common types of evaluations and characteristics of evaluation research methods used in health. (Capability 1.1, 1.2 and 2.2)
  2. Identify and explain the key tasks involved in planning, managing and completing evaluation projects. (Capability 3.1)
  3. Articulate and discuss the ethical principles and guidelines for evaluation research. (Capability 5.2 and 6.1)
  4. Assess the trustworthiness of evaluation research data and reports. (Capability 2.1)
  5. Design and write a evaluation research proposal. (Capability 3.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Essay (2000 words) 25% Individual Coursework
Essay (2000 words) 25% Individual Coursework
Coursework 15% Individual Coursework
Evaluation proposal (2500 words) 35% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Essay (2000 words)
Essay (2000 words)
Coursework
Evaluation proposal (2500 words)
Policy on late assessments
It is very important to get your assessments in on time. If you are not able to meet the deadline for submission you must notify the course coordinator/lecturer, BEFORE the due date/time to avoid penalties resulting from not having an approved extension.  If circumstances prevent a student making an application before the assessment due date/time, the Academic Director will consider and may approve an application for late submission.

The School of Population Health policy on late assessments is as follows:
  • Due dates for assessments are strictly observed.
  • Extensions will only be given in exceptional and unavoidable circumstances, and if approved by the course coordinator/lecturer BEFORE the assessment due date. Penalties will be imposed for extensions (see below).
 Late assessments where an extension has not been given will be penalised as follows:
Up to 2 weeks (including weekend days) late - 5% off the assessment total mark for each day late e.g.
  • if an assessment is out of 30 and is 1 day late, then 1.5 marks (5% of 30) will be deducted from whatever grade the student has achieved
  • if an assessment is out of 30 and is 5 days late, then 7.5 marks (25% of 30) will be deducted from the grade achieved
  • More than 14 days late – the assessment will NOT be graded.

Learning Resources

There are no prescribed texts for this course. Recommendations will be made via Canvas. Readings will be assigned and provided via Canvas.

Course Contacts

Dr. Karen Bissell
k.bissell@auckland.ac.nz

Other contacts
Indra Colambage Dona
Administrator,  i.dona@auckland.ac.nz
FMHS Student Centre 
Phone: (09) 923 2760 
Email: fmhs@auckland.ac.nz 

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 4 days of 6 hours of lectures, group activities and discussion. Since the course as a whole represents 150 hours of study, that leaves 126 hours of reading and thinking about content as well as work completing assignments and preparing for class.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Based on feedback, more examples of evaluation proposals and reports will be incorporated into teaching and exercises this year, and the reading list will be updated.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 13/01/2020 09:24 a.m.