hus5rem research methods

RESEARCH METHODS

HUS5REM

2018

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

This course provides an introduction to knowledge in the humanities and social sciences, how it is produced and how it is used. Students will gain a grounding in the key philosophical approaches that have informed social research, be guided through an exploration of how these approaches have shaped different kinds of research methods. Finally, we will consider different ways that the outcomes of social research are used, whether to inform public debate, policy and political decision making, professional practice, or to direct further research on related issues. Along the way we will provide students with the skills necessary to design their own study, whether this is for major essays in other subjects, commissioned research in a professional context, or an independent research thesis.

SchoolSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences

Credit points15

Subject Co-ordinatorKatharine McKinnon

Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes

Subject year levelYear Level 5 - Masters

Exchange StudentsYes

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites Admission to a Masters program within the School of Humanities and Social Sciences or the permission of the Director of Coursework Masters.

Co-requisitesN/A

Incompatible subjectsN/A

Equivalent subjectsN/A

Special conditionsN/A

Learning resources

Readings

Resource Type	Title	Resource Requirement	Author and Year	Publisher
Readings	Doing Research in the Real World	Recommended	David Gray 2004	SAGE
Readings	Social research : issues, methods and process	Recommended	Tim May 2011	Open University

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

01. Familiarity with the foundations of knowledge making and key approaches and debates that have shaped social research

Activities:: Block course seminars and Online reading and assessment tasks
Related graduate capabilities and elements:: Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy); Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural 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(Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills); Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills); Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills); Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills); Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

02. The ability to read critically and analyse social research literature

Activities:: Online reading, Study design tasks
Related graduate capabilities and elements:: Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural 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(Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills); Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills); Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills); Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills); Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

03. Skills for planning and executing a study program to investigate a research topic relevant to the students study area

Activities:: Block course seminars and Study design tasks
Related graduate capabilities and elements:: Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy); Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural 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(Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills); Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills); Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)

Subject options

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Bendigo, 2018, Semester 2, Blended

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Enrolment information

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorKatharine McKinnon

Class requirements

Block ModeWeek: 31 - 43
Three 7.0 hours block mode per study period on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via blended.
"Students from both campuses will join together in block sessions to be held at the city campus in weeks 31, 36, and 41"

Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 31 - 43
One 2.0 hours unscheduled online class per week from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via online.
"Students will complete online learning activities on a weekly basis"

Assessments

Assessment element	%	ILO*
Quantitative research task (1500 words)	25	01, 02
Study design tasks A (2000 words)	35	01, 02, 03
Study design B (2500 words)	40	01, 02, 03

Melbourne, 2018, Semester 2, Blended