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SPOL41200

Academic Year 2025/2026

Evaluation for Public Policy (SPOL41200)

Subject:
Social Policy
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Soc Pol, Soc Wrk & Soc Justice
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Micheal Collins
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The objective of this course is to provide students with an opportunity for an in-depth engagement with some of the principal policy evaluation techniques used to inform policy making by Governments (both local and national). In general, these techniques adopt a societal focus and attempt to capture a widely defined set of costs, benefits and outcomes that reflect the context faced by policy makers wishing to maximise societal returns within the constraints of scarce resources. Although the course covers the theory, concepts and methodological choices associated with a variety of techniques (e.g. cost minimisation analysis, cost effectiveness analysis, cost-utility analysis) it takes a particular focus on two techniques: multi-criteria analysis (MCA) and cost benefit analysis (CBA).

The course is structured to be applied with a mixture of lectures, in class group-work and discussions, and engagement with a variety of local, national and international evaluation examples. In-class examples and applications span evaluation contexts including: infrastructure, transport, leisure facilities, healthcare and medication/medical-devices, road safety, enterprise supports, environmental initiatives, flood prevention, childhood initiatives, and labour market policies among others.

The skills acquired on this course are intended to prepare students to understand, commission, oversee and/or undertake evaluation projects in both public and private sector work contexts. They are relevant to students undertaking study on the Master in Public Policy or Graduate Certificate/Diploma in Public Policy. The course is also available to existing staff in public, semi-state and private sector organisations who wish to enhance their experience and expertise of these evaluation methods.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:

Understand the key policy evaluation techniques used to inform policy making by Governments (both local and national).
Understand the choices, challenges, opportunities, drawbacks and policy contexts associated with the application of these methodologies.
Have undertaken a hands-on application of multi-criterial analysis (MCA) and cost benefit analysis (CBA) techniques.
Critically evaluate published policy evaluation reports.
Possess the skills to apply, or oversee the application, of these methodologies in public and private sector policy evaluation contexts.

Indicative Module Content:

This module will run for the first time from September 2025. A course outline and curriculum content will be provided in advance of the first lecture.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

13
Small Group

5
Practical

4
Specified Learning Activities

60
Autonomous Student Learning

118
Total

200

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The course is delivered as a mixture of lectures, group-work, in-class learning activities and computer-based classes and takes an applied approach. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) techniques are applied throughout.

In line with the UCD Academic Integrity Policy generative AI may only be used in assignments if transparently reported for which tasks AI was used. If detected without reporting, assignments are graded with an E or lower (see course outline document for further details).

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Report(s): 1,000 word summary and critique of selected MCA Week 5 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
20
 No
Report(s): 1,000 word summary and critique of selected CBA Week 10 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
20
 No
Individual Project: Outline two evaluation proposals (MCA, CBA) 2,000-3,000 words.
This assignment may be completed individually or in groups of 2-3 (see assignment document)		 Week 15 Graded No
60
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

For each of the assignments, students will be provided with feedback which includes the assignment grade and some comments. These will be circulated electronically to students.

The module reading list will be provided as part of the course outline - see Brightspace.

Name Role
Dr Anastasia Ershova Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
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