ENV506C

Environmental research methodologies

Offered subject to approval

Dr Peter Cock, Dr John Grindrod, Mr Frank Fisher and Dr Sharon Pfueller

20+24 points
* 2 hours per week
* All year
* Clayton
* Prerequisites: ENV8270/ENV403C
* In the restructured Master of Environmental Science program the subject ENV506C replaces ENV8210 Environmental research methodology which was offered at twenty-four credit points.

Objectives To enhance appreciation of the methods of interdisciplinary research, specifically to formulate clear objectives grounded in a coherent interdisciplinary conceptual and methodological framework, adapt and integrate research design within the practical constraints affecting interdisciplinary research performance, monitor and analyse the impact of personal responses and intra-team social interactions.

Synopsis This subject comprises the planning and reporting stages of the research program leading to the team report. The initial presentation of a research plan to the project's briefing, resume and presentation of research results to the environmental symposium, monthly research reports, minutes of meetings, and the team report, will be assessed. The team report must be presented on time and no extension will be considered. The unit includes a workshop program on data collection and analysis, research brief preparation and report writing.

Assessment (20 points - 1998 students) 2000 words to assessment of personal and team participation in the research process: 8%
* 2000 words paper on `social construction' of team project: 12%
* 1500 words paper on critique of `systems/social construction': 7%
* 2x20-minute seminar presentations: 8%
* 5000 words to project report: 55%
* Class participation: 10%
Assessment (24 points - pre-1998 students) 1000 words to project brief and public presentation of brief: 10%
* 2000 words to assessment of personal and team participation in the research process: 6%
* 2000 words paper on `social construction' of team project: 8%
* 2000 words paper on critique of `systems/social construction': 8%
* 2x20-minute seminar presentations: 8%
* 5000 words to project report: 50%
* Class participation: 10%

Recommended texts

Much reading is to be handed out and derived from the student's own research, however, a primary general reference is:
Thompson M and others Uncertainty on a Himalayan scale Ethnographica, 1986