Social Research Design and Evaluation

Subject 166-554 (2009)

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

Credit Points:

12.50

Level:

9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)

Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 1, - 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: 2-hour Seminar per week.
Total Time Commitment: 2 contact hours/week , 8 additional hours/week. Total of 8.5 hours per week.

Prerequisites:

Admission to the postgraduate certificate/ diploma or fourth-year honours in Sociology, Public Policy and Management, Criminology or Socio-legal studies, or the Master of Social Policy, Master of Public Policy and Management, Master of Criminology (100-piont programs), or Master of Policy Studies (ASST).

Corequisites:

This is a compulsory subject in the Master of Social Policy (100 point program).

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

 CoordinatorDr Tim Marjoribanks ContactDr. Timothy Marjoribanks 
tkmarj@unimelb.edu.au 

Subject Overview:	This subject provides a critical and practical engagement with social research design and evaluation, in a range of societal contexts including, but not limited to, social policy. As such, it provides theoretical frameworks and research skills for analysing and engaging with contemporary social relations, problems and challenges. We begin by examining how social researchers identify research problems and design research, and then move onto a consideration of the range of approaches to the collection and analysis of data, and the writing up of research. We also analyse the relationship between evaluation and social research, in the context of debates around evidence based policy and the effectiveness (or otherwise) of social interventions. On completion of the subject, the written work and class participation will provide students with theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in key aspects of social research design and evaluation.
Objectives:	Understand the processes of social research, including designing a research proposal, conducting research, and writing up a final research paper or report; Be familiar with research strategies and methods used in social research design and evaluation, including the ethics and politics of research design and evaluation; Demonstrate knowledge of evaluation strategies and methods; Have gained experience in social research design and evaluation .
Assessment:	A written response paper of 1000 words worth 20% (due prior to mid-semester); a written social research opinion piece of 1000 words worth 20% (due after mid-semester); a written research proposal of 3000 words worth 60% (due at end of semester). Hurdle requirement to attend 75% of seminars in order to have work accepted for evaluation.
Prescribed Texts:	A subject reader will be made available
Breadth Options:	This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information:	Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Notes:	Formerly available as 166-554. Students who have completed 166-554 are not eligible to enrol in this subject. This is a compulsory subject in the Master of Social Policy (100-point program).
Related Course(s):	Master of Criminology (CWT) Master of Public Policy and Management (Coursework) Master of Social Policy
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations:	Criminology Criminology Political Science Political Science Socio-Legal studies Socio-legal Studies Sociology Sociology Sociology

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