SYM4015

Secondary analysis of official statistics

Ulla Svensson

12 points -2 hours per week -Second semester -Clayton

Objectives Students in this subject can expect to learn to use a wide range of Australian official statistics; learn to understand that statistical facts are culturally and historically specific; develop the ability to make decisions about data, and be able to justify these decisions; develop the ability to write research reports which are user-friendly; develop an interest in keeping up with issues debated in the wider community, and become well-informed about Australian society.

Synopsis How is 'secondary' analysis different from 'primary' analysis of data? The difference is that you yourself did not design how to collect the data but you have got access to the data and can do your own analysis. Within the restrictions imposed by the primary researchers, you are able to do a secondary analysis of the data. In this subject we will re-analyse mainly 'official statistics' but also other data sources will be considered. Students will carry out a number of exercises, each exercise being designed to familiarise them with a particular body of statistics and a particular type of research methodology. The exercises involve writing a report on youth unemployment; trend analysis of the gender gap in wages; working class versus upper class suburbs in Melbourne; cohort analysis of migrant unemployment; crosscultural comparison of strikes; report on one type of criminal offence; submission on single parents to the Social Security Review.

Assessment Four research reports (1500 words each): 60% -Three research reports (1000 words each): 30% -Seminar participation: 10%

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