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
Organisational Unit
Coordinator(s)
Associate Professor Dharmalingam Arunachalam
Unit guides
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:
- An understanding of the strengths, limitations and appropriate applications of quantitative and qualitative approaches to research;
- Knowledge of methods commonly used in both quantitative and qualitative research;
- Understanding of the theoretical, practical and ethical considerations in research;
- 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.