Year
2016
Units
4.5
Contact
9 x 2-hour workshops per semester
3 x 2-hour computer labs per semester
3 x 2-hour computer labs per semester
Enrolment not permitted
SOCI7003 has been successfully completed
Course context
Sociology Honours
Topic description
This topic aims to deepen students' understanding of core methodological issues in sociology and social sciences. Its primary approach is practical - the focus is on what makes 'good' research, on the skills, techniques and intellectual content of influential social research. Inevitably we are led into the issue of what 'good' research means, although this issue is not the primary focus of the topic.
Educational aims
The topic deals with a series of core issues in social research: research questions, research design, sampling, making data, analysing data and discussing data/results/findings. There are several core components:
- thinking about the research (literature review)
- designing the research (methodology)
- doing the research (data collection)
- analysing results (writing up)
Expected learning outcomes
Students successfully completing the topic should be able to:
- Critically evaluate research that relies on quantitative and qualitative methods
- Formulate research questions that can be examined empirically
- Design a program of research
- Design a survey
- Prepare and undertake research relying on interviews
- Access officially collected statistics and secondary data sources
- Be aware of the benefits and limitations of different research methods and strategies
Key dates and timetable
Timetable details for 2016 are no longer published.
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
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