hus5rem research methods
RESEARCH METHODS
HUS5REM
2017
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, 2017, Semester 1, Blended
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorKatharine McKinnon
Class requirements
Block ModeWeek: 10 - 22
Three 5.0 hours block mode per study period on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via blended.
"Depending on enrolments these block sessions may be repeated at Bendigo and Bundoora, or held face-to-face at Bendigo only with the option for Bundoora students to join via video-conferencing."
Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.0 hours unscheduled online class per week from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via online.
"Students will complete online learning activities on a weekly basis prior to joining tutorials"
TutorialWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via blended.
"Tutorials will be held weekly on Bendigo campus, with Melbourne students joining via video conferencing. Face-to-face tutorials may also be held at Bundoora if enrolments warrant."
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | 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, 2017, Semester 1, Blended
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorKatharine McKinnon
Class requirements
Block ModeWeek: 10 - 22
Three 5.0 hours block mode per study period on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via blended.
"Depending on enrolments these block sessions may be repeated at Bendigo and Bundoora, or held face-to-face at Bendigo only with the option for Bundoora students to join via video-conferencing."
Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.0 hours unscheduled online class per week from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via online.
"Students will complete online learning activities on a weekly basis prior to joining tutorials"
TutorialWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via blended.
"Tutorials will be held weekly on Bendigo campus, with Melbourne students joining via video conferencing. Face-to-face tutorials may also be held at Bundoora if enrolments warrant."
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | 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 |