POPLHLTH 705 : Evaluation Research Methods

Medical and Health Sciences

2024 Semester Two (1245) (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

Course Contacts

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

Other contacts
Upendra Wickramarachchi
Administrator,  u.wicks@auckland.ac.nz
FMHS Student Centre 
Phone: +64 9 923 3058
Email: fmhs@auckland.ac.nz 

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
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 methods used in health. (Capability 1, 3, 4, 6 and 8)
  2. Identify and explain the key tasks involved in planning, managing and completing evaluation projects. (Capability 1, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8)
  3. Articulate and discuss the ethical principles and guidelines for evaluation research. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8)
  4. Assess the trustworthiness of evaluation data and reports. (Capability 3, 4 and 8)
  5. Design and write an evaluation research proposal. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Essay (2000 words) 25% Individual Coursework
Essay (2000 words) 25% Individual Coursework
Written (not spoken) presentation (15 slides) 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)
Written (not spoken) presentation (15 slides)
Evaluation proposal (2500 words)

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. Students are expected to attend and participate in classes, during which there are activities that are not recorded. This is not an online course. Listening to recordings is not an acceptable alternative to attending. Please ensure you have permission from work (where applicable) to be present for the four block days.

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.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at the 4 scheduled block days to complete components of the course. Students are asked to inform the course director if they are unable to attend a block day (or a large part thereof).
Lectures and assignment instructions will be available as recordings, in addition to some pre-recorded materials.  Students are expected to listen to all recorded material and reflect this learning in their assignments. Other learning activities including in-person group activities during the block days will not be available as recordings.
All assignments are submitted online. There are no tests or exams that require on campus attendance. 
The activities for the course are scheduled as a block delivery.

Learning 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.

There are no prescribed texts for this course. Essential and recommended readings are listed in the Canvas Reading List. Students are expected to prepare for each block day by doing the recommended pre-reading and to follow up with readings to  and linked to student preparation for each of the 4 block days.  

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, we will be expanding the use of real-life evaluation plans and reports.  

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 for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

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 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.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

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 students may be asked to submit 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. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 31/10/2023 09:13 a.m.