Postgraduate Certificate in Evaluation Research
Please note: This programme will not be run during 2012 - 2013
The PG Cert in Evaluation Research, offered by staff from the Salomons Campus at Tunbridge Wells, is intended as an introduction to postgraduate level research and service/programme evaluation.
The programme is designed for multiple audiences including current staff from health and social care, the third sector staff (e.g. cultural institutions, charities) and private businesses who engage with the general public (e.g. to help assess effectiveness of products and services).
The programme is also excellent preparatory research training for MSc and doctoral study.
Increasingly, research and evaluation are expected components of health care services and community-based programmes in order to help assess outcome and effectiveness. Information management, evaluation planning, ethical decision making, data collection, reflective practice, analysis and dissemination all share a role in the process of evaluation research training in this programme.
The PG Cert consists of three 20 credit modules. The first module focuses on different approaches to evaluation research, ethics, participatory approaches to evaluation and qualitative methods; the second module builds on skills learned in module one and addresses quantitative methods of evaluation research, service user/participant involvement and the development of an evaluation project proposal. The third module entails carrying out a small-scale evaluation and report write-up.
Location and Programme Schedule
The programme is offered on the beautiful Salomons campus of the university in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. In addition to classroom-based work the programme will also make use of a virtual learning component (blended learning) that will allow discussion and interaction between students and staff throughout the course. Students will need to have a computer that is connected to a network which allows email, video and web-based communication. This campus offers a specialist library with excellent, personal support from library staff in addition to a virtual eLibrary that can be accessed 24/7.
Modules one and two are offered on Tuesdays from 10am to 1pm in autumn and spring terms (about from late September-December for autumn term and January-March for spring term). Each module meets consecutively for 10 or 11 sessions. Additional on-line learning time is required but can occur at a time convenient to the student. Module three is offered as a small group tutorial with additional individual supervision available as arranged between the tutor and students.
Aims of the Programme
A. Provide an engaging applied framework for the development of evaluation research skills by teaching research methods in the context of 'real world' evaluation issues.
B. Enable students to appreciate the uses of evaluation research methods across different settings and environments.
C. Provide professional development for graduates currently employed and those not in employment (including new graduates), those returning to higher education after an absence and those who seek training within their existing career.
D. Develop a set of transferable evaluation research skills that can be used across settings and sectors.
Modules:
Module 1: Foundations of Practice Evaluation
The aims of the module are to introduce students to the foundations of evaluation practice in health, community and other settings. This will include becoming familiar with policy and practice literature, ethical issues and guidelines, developing an understanding of the different types of evaluation, conducting a literature review and learning introductory qualitative research methods more commonly used in evaluation.
Module 2: Design and Analysis
The aims of the module are to facilitate students in becoming familiar with the key steps in developing a plan for a practice evaluation, and in developing a critical and reasoned proposal for a project they could carry out in a setting in which they have a service-provision or community role. Quantitative design and introductory statistical analysis are also be part of this module.
Module 3: Practice-Based Evaluation Project
This is the final module in the programme. The aim of this module is to consolidate the competencies students will have developed in modules one and two through their application in a practice-based evaluation project that each student will independently design and complete. Practice-based is defined as evaluation practice in a specific setting (e.g. health care, business, community, third sector). The module also aims to develop the students' capability to overcome the challenges that can arise when conducting evaluations in real life settings. Issues related to ethical practice such as confidentiality, consent and protection of data will also be addressed.
Applicant Information:
Applicants are required to have an undergraduate degree from an accredited university with a minimum 2.2 degree or higher (or equivalent grade for non-UK students). Click
here| to download an application form.
Questions and Answers about the Programme:
What will I gain from the PG Cert?
On successful completion of this programme, you should be able to:
a. Independently and creatively design, execute and present the findings of a small scale evaluation project.
b. Comprehensively understand and critically evaluate different strategies and approaches to service/programme evaluation and the related literature.
c. Define and critically understand the challenges of qualitative and quantitative data management.
d. Analyse and interpret evaluation research data.
e. Demonstrate a critical awareness of ethical issues related to evaluation research.
f. Identify, justify and critique the primary issues involved in using different methodological approaches to specific evaluation research questions.
g. Demonstrate the ability to independently use literature search databases, data analysis software and critically evaluate on-line, virtual software resources.
Who will teach me?
Staff will include Prof Paul Camic|, Dr Sue Holttum| and Dr Fergal Jones|. Each staff member of the PG Cert team has extensive experience teaching and supporting postgraduate students.
What will it cost?
The cost for each module is £700.00.
How long will it take to complete the programme and how much time should I plan to invest?
The programme consists of two, 11 week modules and a third slightly longer module, which involves small group tutorials, 2 teaching sessions and independent work. This is a postgraduate course which is likely to have a higher workload than most undergraduate courses. In addition to time spent in class,students should definitely plan on additional time for study and preparation of assignments on a weekly basis. Workload will vary across the semester but it is best to plan additional time for study and preparation of marked assignments towards the latter third of each module.
Please contact Sally Bland, programme administrator at sally.bland@canterbury.ac.uk| for additional information.