SOCIAL RESEARCH METHODS
SOC3MSR
2016
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
Students are introduced to a range of current methods of social inquiry. These include both quantitative and qualitative research methods such as surveys, interviews, observation, content analysis, the analysis of historical and policy documents and records and other unobtrusive methods. The objective is for students to apply these techniques to complete research projects and to gain some understanding of when best to employ particular strategies while being aware of strengths and weaknesses of each approach.
School: School of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Xianbi Huang
Available to Study Abroad Students: Yes
Subject year level: Year Level 3 - UG
Exchange Students: Yes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: 15 credit points of first-year Sociology and at least 15cp of Humanities and Social Sciences subjects, or co-ordinator's approval. It is a core subject at third year for Sociology major at Melbourne, Bendigo, Mildura and Shepparton
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: SOC2MSR
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Special conditions: Core subject at third year for Sociology major at Melbourne, Bendigo, Mildura and Shepparton
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Social Research Methods, | Prescribed | Walter, Maggie 1013 | 3RD EDN, OUP |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Critically evaluate diverse research methods, approaches and applications
- Activities:
- Online modules, workshops, online test, research report
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
02. Identify and address the challenges of research projects
- Activities:
- Online modules, workshops, online test, research report
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
03. Identify and report on ethical issues in social research
- Activities:
- Online modules, workshops, online test, research report
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
04. Understand, implement and report on research practice
- Activities:
- Online modules, workshops, online test, research report
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
Albury-Wodonga, 2016, Semester 1, Blended
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Xianbi Huang
Class requirements
WorkShopWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via blended.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online test (methods) | 25 | 01, 02, 03, 04 | |
| Online test (ethics) | 10 | 02, 03 | |
| Research project | 65 | 01, 02, 03, 04 |
Bendigo, 2016, Semester 1, Blended
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Edgar Burns
Class requirements
WorkShopWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via blended.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online test (methods) | 25 | 01, 02, 03, 04 | |
| Online test (ethics) | 10 | 02, 03 | |
| Research project | 65 | 01, 02, 03, 04 |
Melbourne, 2016, Semester 1, Blended
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Xianbi Huang
Class requirements
WorkShopWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.0 hours workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via blended.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online test (methods) | 25 | 01, 02, 03, 04 | |
| Online test (ethics) | 10 | 02, 03 | |
| Research project | 65 | 01, 02, 03, 04 |
Mildura, 2016, Semester 1, Blended
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Xianbi Huang
Class requirements
WorkShopWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via blended.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online test (methods) | 25 | 01, 02, 03, 04 | |
| Online test (ethics) | 10 | 02, 03 | |
| Research project | 65 | 01, 02, 03, 04 |
Shepparton, 2016, Semester 1, Blended
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Xianbi Huang
Class requirements
WorkShopWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours workshop per week on weekdays from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via blended.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online test (methods) | 25 | 01, 02, 03, 04 | |
| Online test (ethics) | 10 | 02, 03 | |
| Research project | 65 | 01, 02, 03, 04 |