Quantitative Social Research

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

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

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.

• 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.

This subject is compulsory for students intending to complete a Sociology major. Due to the nature and design of this course, no subject material will be put online. Students are expected to attend both Lectures and tutorials, which will commence from the first week of semester. It is strongly recommended that students attend all classes from week 1. This subject has a unique design with lectures, tutorials, workshops, labs and group work, to give students theory and hands-on experience of conducting social research. All workshop/lab tasks are based on lectures, so lecture attendance is crucial. Due to the nature and design of this subject, subject material will not be made available online.