PP455E Half Unit
Empirical Methods for Public Policy
This information is for the 2024/25 session.
Teacher responsible
Prof Daniel Sturm and Dr Gharad Bryan
Availability
This course is compulsory on the Executive Master of Public Administration and Executive Master of Public Policy. This course is not available as an outside option.
Pre-requisites
There are no formal pre-requisites, but recommended advance readings will be distributed ahead of the course. Familiarity with the material covered in the EMPA/ EMPP Introduction to Statistics module is assumed.
Course content
The course introduces students to the quantitative evaluation of public policies. The focus of the course is on practical applications of techniques to test the effectiveness of public policy interventions. The course begins with an overview over the key benefits of randomized experiments in the evaluation of public policies. Next the course covers a number of techniques that are widely used in the evaluation of public policies, including difference-in-differences regressions, regression discontinuity approaches and matching. It concludes with an introduction to cost-benefit analysis.
Teaching
A one-week modular teaching block. This course is delivered through a combination of classes and lectures delivered in one week.
The default mode of instruction is in-person in the classroom at ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳. Remote attendance is available in case of challenges preventing in-person attendance.
Formative coursework
One mock examination will be provided.
Indicative reading
A full reading list will be distributed at the beginning of the course.
Assessment
Essay (50%, 2000 words) and online assessment (50%).
Online assessments take place on the third weekend after module teaching concludes. A 2,000 word essay is due on the sixth Sunday after module teaching concludes. Further details will be provided at the Executive MPA/ Executive MPP programme inductions.
Student performance results
(2020/21 - 2022/23 combined)
| Classification | % of students |
|---|---|
| Distinction | 28.4 |
| Merit | 43.2 |
| Pass | 27.3 |
| Fail | 1.1 |
Key facts
Department: School of Public Policy
Total students 2023/24: Unavailable
Average class size 2023/24: Unavailable
Controlled access 2023/24: No
Value: Half Unit
Course selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Problem solving
- Application of numeracy skills
- Specialist skills