Evidence-Based Policy Research Methods (EPRM) programme

Apply Now: Registration is open for individual or all the modules.

About the Programme

This Evidence-Based Policy Research Methods (EPRM) programme equips participants with the fundamental tools for designing and analysing evidence-based research to enable better policymaking decisions. It is designed for working professionals who wish to increase their research skills. The 14-week programme can be completed alongside work in 

EPRM trains participants in:

• Translating policy issues into research questions
• Preparing a research proposal, including for PhDs
• Analysing qualitative and / or quantitative data
• Understanding current academic developments in a particular field
• Designing, writing and disseminating proposals for evidence-based research, either in the workplace or in a broader research environment

About the modules

Module 1: Evidence-Based Policy Research 

Description:
The Research Design module is a one-week workshop in Maastricht, where participants will receive lectures on the nature and requirements of academic research, how to phrase an interesting and relevant research question, and how to set up a research design. Participants will work on their own research ideas during individual assignments, interactive sessions in class, and group assignments. This module builds the foundation of a research proposal. You will be required to complete this module before access to any other EPRM module. This module requires full-time attendance as participants will have 6-8 class hours a day and homework assignments in the evenings as well.

Learning Objectives:

1. Gain knowledge of research methodologies
2. Learn how to define a research topic, research question, theory, and model

Tuition: EUR 1000

Format & Workload: On-Site, 40 hours a week

ECTS equivalence: 1.5 ECTS equivalence

Module 2: Using Academic Literature

Description:
During the proposal development stage, participants will primarily spend their time on their own individual research idea. This module provides participants with online tools, guidance and support to develop the skills to compose a thorough literature review. Participants are encouraged to actively look for and read academic literature with a critical mind. The focus will be on understanding the current state of the art in the academic literature, as well as understanding theoretical links provided in the literature. In addition, participants are supported in carrying out an effective literature management practice, using Zotero. Online instruction videos will be supplemented with discussion boards to cover general issues participants deal with and a feedback session on individual proposals.

Learning Objectives:

1. Apply the main building blocks for a strong research proposal;
2. Understand the requirements and steps of an academic literature search;
3. Be aware of the various types of literature review structures and their strengths and weaknesses;
4. Ability to use data management strategies, making use of the software Zotero

Tuition: EUR 500

Format & Workload: Online, 10-15 hours a week

ECTS equivalence: 1.5 ECTS equivalence

Module 3: Theory, Design and Methodology

Description:
During the online module in research theory, design and analysis, participants will continue developing their own individual research idea and build on the literature that was reviewed in module 2. This module provides 3 units with online lectures, tutorial guidance and individual support. Unit one elaborates on the function of theories and hypotheses and explores inductive and deductive uses of theory. In unit 2, we deepen the need to make design choices that are guided by the methodological focus of the research. In unit 3, we zoom in on the methodology and data needs. Online synchronous lectures will be supplemented with peer group tutorial sessions and discussion boards to cover general issues participants deal with, and a feedback session on individual assignments.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the use of theory, models and hypotheses in research settings and apply those to the individual research proposal;
2. Awareness of research design choices, including method choices and population selection / sample strategies;
3. Ability to understand data needs, assessment of data quality, data collection methods choice
4. Connecting the available or (to be) collected data to the analysis proposed.     

Tuition: EUR 500

Format & Workload: Online, 10-15 hours a week

ECTS equivalence: 1.5 ECTS equivalence

Module 4: Evidence-based Analysis

Description:
During the research analysis course, instructions are offered how to analyses data in an academic fashion. Participants are requested to choose between (1) Introduction to Statistics and Statistical Analysis (2) Introduction to Econometrics (3) Impact Evaluation (4) Qualitative Research Methods. Online courses are guided by a tutor. Courses are based on instruction videos, quizzes, and assignments. Assignments and tests are offered to check understanding of the material, and apply learned concepts in practice, and additional tests can be taken for grades and credits. In order to increase learning, the assignments are tied (if possible) to the specialisation course you selected or the proposal you develop. After completion of this course, participants understand the basis of qualitative data analysis or quantitative data analysis, and are able to summarise preferred way of analysis, based on data available and individual needs, in a proposal.

Learning Objective:

1. Gain knowledge of applied research skills, necessary for carrying out the proposed research.
2. Introduction to statistics and statistical analysis
3. Introduction to econometric methods linear regression with one or more variables and non-linear regression functions
4. Qualitative data collection, text analysis and coding skills
5. Specific formats of policy impact evaluations of a policy, programme or intervention
6. Practical use of data analysis in the frame of the specialization course selected

*Supplementary enrollment information*

During module 4 enrolment, participants can choose only one of the 4 online specialization courses offered. Participants will be offered the option to audit the other Module 4 courses – that they are not enrolled in in the first instance – within 3 years after initial enrollment during the following EPRM rounds without extra payment. This participation is voluntary, and assignments are not graded. Fellows will need to register for those courses with the coordinator. This course enrollment will not be registered on the EPRM certificate. In case participants would like to participate in the other module 4 courses and wish to be graded and with registration on the EPRM certificate, the tuition for the extra module 4 participation will be requested, and participants can enroll in the next EPRM rounds up to 3 years after initial enrollment.
Module 4 is an online module. However, in the last week of M4, we also welcome participants to the institute in case they wish to be supported with the completion of Modules 2,3 and 4 in person. If you are interested in this option, please let us know when you register.

Tuition: EUR 1000

Format & Workload: Online, 10-15 hours a week

ECTS equivalence: 3 ECTS equivalence

Module 5: Proposal writing, presentation, and dissemination

Description:
In the current academic environment, we cannot trust people will just read our work and use it. This problem is even more apparent in the policy field, where academic research is less commonly read. Therefore, it is our responsibility, as researchers, to make sure our work gets disseminated well. Module five is a one week workshop in Maastricht, where we prepare the participants to actively disseminate their ideas and findings. The workshop includes academic research presentation skills, writing skills including academic and policy memo writing, research dissemination classes and a proposal presentation session to complete the EPRM course.

Learning Objectives:

1. Develop a final research proposal;
2. Understand the different channels and forms to communicate and disseminate a research project;
3. Improve a research proposal to fit academic writing standards;
4. Create awareness about steps to be taken between proposal and implementation stage of a research project.

Tuition: EUR 1000

Format & Workload: On-site or Online, 40 hours a week

ECTS equivalence: 1.5 ECTS equivalence

Tuition for the full programme (all modules): EUR 3750

Application Information and Deadlines

The application of EPRM can be done as a full programme or through a modular sign-up. Application deadlines, start and finish dates of the modules are included in the table. Please note the different application deadlines for non-visa applicants and applicants that require a visa for modules 1 and 5.
 

Spring 2025 Course Dates and Deadlines

Autumn 2025 Course Dates and Deadlines

* This module can only be started after completion of the Research design module
** To be followed after the completion of Module 2
*** This module can only be started after completion of the Modules 1-2-3-4

Apply Now: Registration is open for individual or all the modules.

Frequently Asked Questions

I cannot sign up to the full (14-week) programme, what are my alternatives?
It is possible to sign up for individual modules within the programme. This is referred to as the modular approach, and participants can choose to start with the individual modules that best suit their needs, as long as the order of modules is followed. Completion of all modules in 3 years is required to obtain the EPRM programme certification, but upon completion of a module you will obtain that module certification. 

I am a working professional. Will I be able to complete the EPRM programme while working?
The EPRM is designed for working professionals. Only Module 1 and Module 5 will require your full-time participation in Maastricht (see next question for details). All other modules require an estimated workload of 10-15 hours per week and can be done during evenings and weekends. Previous participants have successfully completed the programme while working full-time.

I understand that the EPRM programme is offered as a blended programme, i.e. a mix of on-site and online coursemodules. How much time do I need to spend in Maastricht?
If you sign up for the full programme (14 weeks), you will be required to spend one week in Maastricht for Module 1 (Research Design). Modules 2-3-4 are online. Module 5 can be done on-site in Maastricht, or online. 

Are there any rules on the order in which course modules are taken in the modular approach?
Yes. Module 1 must be completed before the subsequent modules (Modules 2 to 4). Modules 1-4 must be completed before Module 5. Although Modules 2-4 can be completed in any order, it is recommended that they are taken sequentially.

What if I cannot take all the modules in one run but still want to complete the entire programme and receive the certificate?
You have the option to start the programme in one run cohort (e.g. fall 2025) (e.g. autumn 2023) and complete the remaining modules later (e.g. autumn 2024spring 2026). You will receive modular certificates, and if you complete all course modules included in the programme within a 3-year period, you will be awarded the programme certificate.

At what level (Master’s/PhD) are the courses offered in EPRM? Can I transfer the courses to a PhD programme?
EPRM is a post-graduate training programme and is not linked to a Master’s or PhD programme. It is a programme jointly offered by Maastricht University and UNU-MERIT, and upon successful completion, you will obtain a certificate with European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credit equivalence. The university where you aim to pursue your Master’s or PhD studies will decide whether transfer of ECTS equivalence credits earned in EPRM will be accepted.

Will completing the EPRM programme enhance my chances of being accepted to UNU-MERIT’s PhD programme on Innovation, Governance and Sustainable Development (IEGSD) or another PhD programme?
Completion of the EPRM programme does not guarantee entrance to IEGSD or any other PhD programme. The objective, however, is that after successful completion of the EPRM programme, participants will be more informed on what research is and have worked on the skills needed to undertake effective and credible research, including how to draft a strong research proposal. After completion of the course, we can advise you on undertaking IEGSD with us. One major goal of the EPRM programme is to enhance your chances of admission to a PhD programme. However, completing EPRM does not guarantee entrance into IEGSD. 

Apply Now: Registration is open for individual or all the modules.