Overview
This microcredential examines methodology and methods in realist evaluation. Students develop understanding and/or skills in developing program theory, designing realist evaluation, developing instruments, selecting samples, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and reporting in line with international standards for realist evaluation. International reporting and quality standards for realist evaluation will be used for self-assessment and as a tool for instructor feedback.
Learning outcomes
- Explain the implications of a realist approach for the tasks necessary to design a realist evaluation.
- Develop an initial tentative theory explaining how the evaluand is expected to generate its outcomes.
- Formulate a set of overarching and subsidiary questions and initial program theory to guide a realist evaluation.
- Create and justify a plan for data collection and analysis for a realist evaluation.
Assessment overview
| Assessment task | Value (of total mark) | Related learning outcome/s |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly assignment 1: Draft the overarching question for a realist evaluation (either your own realist evaluation or one that could follow from your realist review). Draft initial realist theory for that overarching evaluation question. | 10% |
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| Weekly assignment 2: Draft subsidiary questions for the overarching question you submitted in Week 1. Develop a matrix to identify the data that would be necessary to answer each question and the source(s) for each data set. | 10% |
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| Weekly assignment 3: Develop an interview sample and interview guides to test elements of the program theory. OR Develop a survey sample and a questionnaire to test elements of the program theory. In either/both cases, you must demonstrate how your data could be collected and/or analysed to identify differences between groups/contexts. | 10% |
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| Final written assessment: 1000-1500 words. Using feedback from the first three assessment tasks, provide a brief rationale for conducting the evaluation, a brief rationale for using a realist approach, revised overview and subsidiary questions, initial realist theory, data collection matrix and at least one data collection instrument for a realist evaluation. Include reflections on what you have learned about evaluation in your conclusion. | 70% |
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Availability options
OLR: Internet access is required for this unit as students are required to access study materials provided on-line through Learnline. Please log into Learnline on the first day of each teaching period. For more information about Learnline, please click here.
Critical dates: