Explore a range of analytical techniques that can be used to answer key policy questions and measure policy impact.
This course will discuss a range of analytical techniques that can be used to answer key policy questions. Participants will learn how to measure the impact of policy and whether or not a particular policy improves individuals' lives. The focus of the course will be on the assumptions, purpose and limitations of the techniques, rather than formulae and equations.
Key topics include:
- Introduction to data: assessing whether the evidence is sufficient, its quality, and how it can be inferred for decision-making
- The essentials of exploratory data analysis: introduction to the data collection process and types of data and quality
- Advanced exploratory data analysis
- Introduction to key policy evaluation techniques
Format: Online
Duration: 1 week (excluding orientation)
Commitment: 3-4 hours per week
Cost: $1,495 (or $1,195 for early bird registrations by 30 May)
Start/end date: 30 June - 2 July 2025 with a course orientation / meet and greet on 27 June
Group discounts available.
Course curriculum
- Module 1 Introduction to data
- Module 2 The essentials of exploratory data analysis
- Module 3 Advanced exploratory data analysis
- Module 4 Policy evaluation
Session schedule
This course will run as an online and distance program in 2025. It is scheduled to run across four weeks, 30 June - 2 July 2025 with a course orientation / meet and greet on 27 June. Specific dates and times to note in your diary are as follows:
- 10:00-11:00am Friday 27 June 2025 - course introduction, meet and greet
- 10:00-11:30am Monday 30 June 2025
- 12:00-1:30pm Monday 30 June 2025
- 10:00-11:30am Wednesday 2 July 2025
- 12:00-1:30pm Wednesday 2 July 2025
Note: Dates and times are in Canberra time (AEDT). The calendar invite for each session should automatically adjust to your timezone when you add it to your calendar. You can check at a site like this to be sure.
Learning outcomes
- Assess the quality of data in research and Government reports
- Understand the rationale of major contemporary approaches to the measurement of impact of Government policies
- Critically assess the validity of causal claims in quantitative analysis
- Determine the appropriate techniques to evaluate the impact of an event
Who is this course for?
- Anyone interested in learning more about the analytical techniques that can be used to answer key policy questions.
