This course is available on the Double Master of Public Administration (LSE-Sciences Po), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and NUS), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Tokyo), Master of Public Administration and Master of Public Policy. This course is not available as an outside option.

MPA students may not take both this course and an MPA Dissertation. This course is only available to MPA students during the second year of their programme.

The aim of the course is to enable students to plan, design and conduct independent research in an area of public policy. Students will write an individually-authored policy paper of no more than 6,000 words on a topic developed in consultation with their supervisor.  The policy paper will carry out an evidence-based assessment of a concrete policy issue or problem in a specific setting and provide a practical contribution to policy and practice.  The main body of the policy paper should include methodology, results of the analysis, discussion of findings, conclusions and policy recommendations.  The policy paper must be accompanied by an Executive Summary.  Policy papers can utilise quantitative and/or qualitative data and information and draw on secondary and/or primary sources.

This course is delivered through help sessions totalling a minimum of 3 hours in Autumn Term and 2 hours in Winter Term. 

These sessions provide academic and practical guidance on planning and writing the policy paper and offer an opportunity to ask questions.  The student's supervisor will provide advice and guidance on this piece of work.

A policy paper proposal (of no more than 750 words in total) consisting of the title, abstract, research question, research justification, feasibility of the topic, an explanation of sources, proposed research design and methods, and provisional structure must be submitted in the Autumn Term.  Students may only change their topic thereafter with the agreement of their supervisor.  Students will be given feedback on their proposal.

Writing guidance:

• Stella Cottrell, Dissertations and Project Reports: A Step by Step Guide (Palgrave Study Skills, 2014);
• Diana Ridley, The Literature Review: A Step-by-Step Guide for Students (SAGE Study Skills Series, 2008);
• Christopher Hart, Doing a Literature Review (SAGE Study Skills Series, 2018);
• Sharon M. Ravitch and J. Matthew Riggan, Reason and Rigor; How Conceptual Frameworks Guide Research, 2nd edition (Sage Publications, 2016)

Research methods:

• Catherine Hakim, Research Design; Successful Designs for Social Economics Research, 2nd ed. (Routledge, 2000);
• Joseph A. Maxwell, Qualitative Research Design (3rd edition, Sage, 2013);
• Alan Bryman, Social Research Methods, 5th ed. (Oxford University Press, 2015);
• David Partington, Essential Skills for Management Research (Sage Publications, 2002).

Policy paper (100%) in the ST.

• 6,000 word policy paper.