Checking date: 04/04/2024


Course: 2024/2025

Evaluation of public policy and public programs
(14318)
Bachelor in Political Science (Plan: 396 - Estudio: 205)


Coordinating teacher: VIÑAS CHIAPPINI, VERONICA ESTHER

Department assigned to the subject: Social Sciences Department

Type: Compulsory
ECTS Credits: 6.0 ECTS

Course:
Semester:




Objectives
On having finished the course, the student will have acquired: - Intermediate level knowlege on public policy evaluation - Competences and skills to apply theoretical knowledge in conducting public programs/projects evaluations
Skills and learning outcomes
Description of contents: programme
TOPIC 1: Public policy analysis and program evaluation - Policy Analysis as an academic discipline and as a professional practice - Evaluation as analytical procedure. - Evaluation¿s values and criteria - Policy analysis and evaluation history. institutionalization of evaluation in Spain - Problem structuring, monitoring, forecasting, recommendation TOPIC 2: Evaluation: Types and theoretical perspectives - Types of evaluations (design, implementation, results/impacts) - Theoretical perspectives in evaluation (positivist paradigm and pluralistic perspectives) - The politics of program evaluation. TOPIC 3: Managing evaluations - The evaluations manager. The terms of reference (ToR). TOPIC 4: Designing and planning an evaluation - Evaluability of the interventions - Context and motivation to evaluate. - Evaluation objectives and scope. - Mapping key stakeholders and targets (beneficiaries) - The theory of the program (theory of change) - KEQ key evaluation questions TOPIC 5. Methodological approaches for evaluations - Causal attribution and impact evaluations (theory-based or counterfactual-based approaches) - Sampling techniques and experimental approaches for (impact) evaluation - Other methodological approaches for evaluation TOPIC 6: Indicators and value criteria - Indicators: elements and types - Construction of indicators and value criteria operationalization - Quality assessment of indicators (SMART, evaluation matrix). TOPIC 7 The fieldwork and data gathering techniques - The agenda or work plan (office work, field work and schedule). - Quantitative, qualitative and mixed approaches. - Techniques: observation, questionnaires and surveys, interviews, focus groups, tracking (online, social media, etc) - Other tools (participatory tool, transects, SWOT, Delphi, impact-cost relationship matrix;, scorecard, design thinking tools, etc.) TOPIC 8: Data analysis, judgments and recommendations - E. Bardach¿s Eightfold path for policy analysis (practical advice about fieldwork, data analysis, judgment and recommendations) TOPIC 9: Credibility, standards, and ethical criteria - The independence and credibility of evaluations. - Standards and ethical criteria for program evaluation practice.
Learning activities and methodology
Learning activities: - Practical exercises (tests, test analysis and practical case studies about the main topics of the subject). Some of them will be assessed. - Design and planning of a program / project evaluation Tutorship: Individual, on the established schedule.
Assessment System
  • % end-of-term-examination 40
  • % of continuous assessment (assigments, laboratory, practicals...) 60

Calendar of Continuous assessment


Extraordinary call: regulations
Basic Bibliography
  • Dunn, William N.. Public Policy Analysis: An Introduction. Pearson College Division. 2009
  • European Commission. EVALSED Sourcebook: Method and Technique. EC. 2013
  • European Commission. EVALSED Sourcebook: Method and Technique. EC. 2013
  • European Commission . EVALSED: The resource for the evaluation of Socio-Economic Development. EC. 2013
  • WEISS, C.H.. Evaluation : methods for studying programs and policies. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. 1998
Recursos electrónicosElectronic Resources *
Additional Bibliography
  • DONALDSON, S.I.; CHRISTIE, C.A.; MARK, M.M. (eds.). Credible and actionable evidence. The Foundations for Rigorous and Influential Evaluations (2ª edition). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage . 2015
  • IEPP. Guidelines for the Evaluability Assessment of Public Policies. Instituto de Evaluación de Políticas Públicas. Gobierno de España. 2020
  • IEPP. Guidelines for Public Policies design evaluation. Instituto de Evaluación de Políticas Públicas Gobierno de España. 2020
  • IEPP. Guidelines for Public Policies implementation evaluation . Instituto de Evaluación de Políticas Públicas. Gobierno de España. 2020
  • IEPP. Guidelines for Public Policies outcomes and impact evaluation. Instituto de Evaluación de Políticas Públicas. Gobierno de España. 2020
  • STUFFLEBEAM, D.L. y SHINKFIELD, A.J.. Evaluation Theory, Models & Applications. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. 2007
(*) Access to some electronic resources may be restricted to members of the university community and require validation through Campus Global. If you try to connect from outside of the University you will need to set up a VPN


The course syllabus may change due academic events or other reasons.