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Module Catalogue

PO9F9-20 Development Design: Standards, Tools, and Skills for an Evidence-based Approach

Department
Politics & International Studies
Level
Taught Postgraduate Level
Module leader
David Connolly
Credit value
20
Module duration
10 weeks
Assessment
Multiple
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

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Introductory description

International development organisations and agencies assert that they use an evidence-based approach to design their projects, programmes, and policies. How does this work in practice? What are the challenges in turning words into action? This module examines how organisations and agencies pursue an evidence-based approach to the design of development programming, policy and practice, and the practical and structural challenges involved. It will explore the key operational standards and tools of evidence-based design and assess its contemporary challenges and opportunities. By the end of this module, students will develop practical knowledge of evidence-based design alongside a critical perspective of this approach.

Module web page

Module aims

  1. To develop a critical understanding of the strengths and limitations of an evidence-based approach to development design.
  2. To learn about the key standards and tools used in evidence-based design in international development.
  3. To acquire hands-on, practical knowledge of how to apply evidence-based design in real-world development scenarios.
  4. To analyse the contemporary challenges and opportunities associated with implementing evidence-based design in development work.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Week 1: ‘The Role of Evidence in International Development Design’
Week 2: ‘Cases of Evidence-based Projects, Programmes and Policies’
Week 3: ‘Operational Standards’
Week 4: ‘Logical Frameworks and Theories of Change’
Week 5: ‘Context Assessment and Monitoring Tools’
Week 6: Reading Week
Week 7: ‘Evaluation and Learning Tools’
Week 8: Student Case Study Presentations
Week 9: ‘Navigating Contemporary Challenges and Opportunities: Decolonising Knowledge Production, and Shifting Donorship’
Week 10: ‘Navigating Contemporary Challenges and Opportunities: Data Diplomacy, and Disruptive Technologies’

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • 1. Acquire a critical perspective on evidence-based design, allowing students to evaluate and articulate the strengths, limitations, potential biases, and the broader implications of relying on evidence in decision-making processes.
  • 2. Demonstrate knowledge of the key standards and tools that govern evidence-based design in international development, including how evidence is gathered, analysed, and applied.
  • 3. Practically apply evidence-based design tools to real-world development sectors and scenarios through case studies.
  • 4. Critically analyse the contemporary challenges and opportunities in adopting and implementing evidence-based design in development work.

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Research element

The assessment will involve a presentation and a report, which will require students to use a variety of primary and secondary sources.

Interdisciplinary

The field of international development and its study are interdisciplinary in their nature and evolution and this will be the focus of many of the discussions during the module. Throughout the module the readings list and sources used will explicitly draw on insights from different disciplines (law, anthropology, political science, economics).

International

The module attracts an international student body with its focus on global issues of international development.

Subject specific skills

  1. Connecting theories of international development to policies and practices of International Development.
  2. Knowledge of the evolution of the evidence-based approach to the policy and practice of the field of International Development and the key actors and events.
  3. Knowledge of the key issues approaches and skills in the field of International Development, with a focus on the evidence-based approach.
  4. Ability to critically assess and evaluate International Development programmes and policies.

Transferable skills

  1. Written communication skills
  2. Oral communication skills
  3. Detailed critical analysis skills
  4. Skills in the interpretation of primary and secondary sources
  5. Independent research skills
  6. Application of learning to case studies
  7. Summarising large bodies of work to highlight key points
  8. Implications of policy developments for theory and practice

Study time

Type Required
Seminars 9 sessions of 2 hours (9%)
Private study 182 hours (91%)
Total 200 hours

Private study description

Students will focus their preparatory reading for each seminar on seminar questions provided in the module syllabus, and will also undertake independent research to complete their assessed essays.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group A1
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Assessment component
Report on case study 60% Yes (extension)

Students will draft a consultancy-type report on their case study (see details for other assessment) for the relevant donor or implementing agency. The report will contain an analysis and critique of the evidence-based approach along with targeted recommendations.
Reassessment component is the same
Assessment component
Presentation 40%

Students will select an international development project, programme or policy case study and present an analysis of its evidence-based approach.
Reassessment component is the same
Assessment group S
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Assessment component
Small-group Presentation (15 mins) (Week 8) 40% Yes (extension)

Students will select an international development project, programme or policy case study and present an analysis of its evidence-based approach.
Reassessment component is the same
Assessment component
Individual Assignment (3,000 words) 60% Yes (extension)
Reassessment component is the same
Feedback on assessment

Feedback form via Tabula, optional verbal consultation

Courses

This module is Core optional for:

  • Year 1 of TPOS-M9PT MA in International Development

This module is Optional for:

  • Year 1 of TPOS-M9PT MA in International Development
  • Year 1 of TPOS-M9Q1 Postgraduate Politics, Big Data and Quantitative Methods
  • Year 1 of TPOS-M1P3 Postgraduate Taught International Political Economy
  • Year 1 of TPOS-M1P8 Postgraduate Taught International Politics and East Asia
  • Year 1 of TPOS-M9P9 Postgraduate Taught International Relations
  • Year 1 of TPOS-M9PC Postgraduate Taught International Security
  • Year 1 of TPOS-M9PS Postgraduate Taught Political and Legal Theory
  • Year 1 of TPOS-M9PF Postgraduate Taught Public Policy

This module is Option list B for:

  • Year 1 of TPOS-M1PD Postgraduate Taught the Politics of Climate Change