COM4001

Sources and methods

John Arnold and Jenny Hocking

8 points
* One 2-hour seminar per week
* First or second semester
* City/Clayton

Objectives Upon completion of this subject students should be able to locate and make use of regular and archival holdings of major research libraries; be familiar with relevant source materials; be familiar with electronic, printed and audio-visual sources; and be able to make appropriate and efficient use of Australian sources within the communications field.

Synopsis The subject is organised around five major areas, each having implications for both sources and methods, namely bibliographical research, population and housing statistics, repositories/providers of sources, film and visual sources, opinion poll data and market research. Also included are field trips to both repositories of information (eg libraries), and guest lecturers, generators, interpreters and presenters of information.

Assessment Class exercise (300 words): 5%
* Four short papers (700 words each): 10% each
* Class participation: 15%
* Major essay (3000 words): 40%

Recommended reading

Arnold J et al. Australia: A readers guide Reed/NCAS, 1996

Preliminary reading

Brady B Australian source books: Social sciences Thorpe, 1992
Guide to New Australian Books Thorpe/NCAS (bi-monthly)
Lane N Techniques for student research: A practical guide 2nd edn, Longman, 1996