Quantitative Social Research

Subject 672-379 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2009.

Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 1.5-hour lecture and a 1-hour tutorial/workshop per week
Total Time Commitment: 2.5 contact hours/week , 6 additional hours/week. Total of 8.5 hours per week.
Prerequisites: Recommended: 12.5 points of Level 1 and Level 2 Sociology
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Contact

To be advised.
Subject Overview: This subject introduces students to the logic and major processes of quantitative research focusing on survey research in particular. Students are taught how to do quantitative research via hands-on experience in workshops or labs. Topics covered include research design, conceptualisation and operationalisation, questionnaire design, sampling and preliminary data analysis. This subject is relevant to research and to the informed interpretation of quantitative data in a range of disciplines. It is also relevant to employment in environments where survey data is collected or applied, including government, commercial and non-profit organisations.
Objectives:
  • be able to interpret social processes in terms of sociological concepts;
  • be able to translate curiosities about the social world into empirical social research;
  • be able to understand the logic and major processes of quantitative social research, eg. conceptualisation, operationalisation, questionnaire design, sampling, preliminary data analysis.
Assessment: Written tasks (including lab work) totalling 3000 words, 75% (due through semester); in-class test, 25% (held mid-semester).
Prescribed Texts:
  • The Basics of Social Research (E Babbie) Wadsworth Publishing 2005
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • demonstrate critical thinking and analytic skills, through research and written communication;
  • be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically, both orally and in writing;
  • display awareness and understanding of the social, ethical and cultural contexts of research and of our place as researchers.
Notes:

Formerly available as 166-081 and 672-379. Students who have completed 166-081 or 672-379 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Available as a Breadth subject

Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Sociology
Sociology
Sociology
Sociology Major

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