Research methods for human services
Doug Truter
8 points
* 3 hours per week
* First semester
* Caulfield
Objectives On completion of this subject, students should be knowledgeable about strategies and techniques that are available at different stages of research; be aware of choices and constraints in relation to different types of research designs; view research as a creative problem-solving activity; be aware of theoretical, practical and ethical considerations in research; have acquired knowledge and skills that will enable them to carry out and evaluate research; have gained some experience in research methods through class exercises and an opportunity to design a study.
Synopsis The subject involves the study of the following topics: the nature of research; an overview of the research process; the objectives of research in human services; the selection and formulation of research questions; searching the literature; quantitative and qualitative research; planning and designing research; sampling; data collection techniques; processing, analysing and presenting data; writing research reports.
Assessment Written essay or research proposal (3000 words): 40%
*
Written workshop paper (1500 words) and presentation: 30%
* Two reviews of
research reports (1500 words): 30%
Recommended texts
Neuman W L Social research methods 2nd edn, Allyn and Bacon, 1994
McNeill P Research methods 2nd edn, Routledge, 1990
Wadsworth Y Do it yourself social research Action Research Issues Association, 1991
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