ATS2723 - Social research methods - 2017

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Arts

Organisational Unit

Sociology

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Dharmalingam Arunachalam

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

  • Second semester 2017 (Day)

Clayton

  • First semester 2017 (Day)

Synopsis

Doing social science research requires us to think conceptually, to systematically plan how we might obtain valid information relevant to the research questions we are asking, and to analyse information. Because social science research draws on people's experiences, its conduct inevitably raises ethical and political questions. In this unit, we will discuss these issues. We will also consider various qualitative and quantitative research strategies and data gathering techniques available to us when we seek to document the social world.

Outcomes

On completion of the unit, students will have:

  1. An understanding of the strengths, limitations and appropriate applications of quantitative and qualitative approaches to research;
  2. Knowledge of methods commonly used in both quantitative and qualitative research;
  3. Understanding of the theoretical, practical and ethical considerations in research;
  4. Knowledge of issues related to the design and implementation of social science research.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 100%

Workload requirements

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information

Chief examiner(s)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Prerequisites

Twelve credit points of first-year Arts units. It is highly recommended that students only take this unit after they have completed two gateway units in Sociology or Behavioural studies.

Prohibitions

ATS3723, AZA2490, AZA2723, AZA3723