Quantitative Social Research

Subject 672-379 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Undergraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 1.5-hour lecture and a 1-hour tutorial/workshop per week
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: Usually a first-year subject in Sociology, Political Science or a related area.
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

Coordinator

Dr Jui-Shan Chang
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.

Assessment: Workshop tasks (including oral and written work) totalling 2000 words, 45% (due throughout the semester); lab tasks totalling 1000 words, 25% (due during the last three weeks of the semester); mid-term in class test equivalent to 1000 words, 30%.
Prescribed Texts: Prescribed Texts:The Basics of Social Research (E Babbie), Wadsworth Publishing 2005
Breadth Options: This subject is a level 2 or level 3 subject and is not available to new generation degree students as a breadth option in 2008.
This subject or an equivalent will be available as breadth in the future.
Breadth subjects are currently being developed and these existing subject details can be used as guide to the type of options that might be available.
2009 subjects to be offered as breadth will be finalised before re-enrolment for 2009 starts in early October.
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:

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.

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