Research Methods (Honours)

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

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

The subject introduces students to the skills necessary to conduct rigorous and original research and effectively communicate their research findings in a clear and systematic manner. The subject concentrates on how to select and refine a research topic, develop appropriate research questions/hypotheses, and select and use appropriate research methods. The subject incorporates formal instructional lectures, examples of research projects and seminar discussions of relevant research literature. Three general areas of knowledge are addressed: relevant research approaches, commonly used data collection, and analysis methods and thesis writing skills. Research methodologies currently employed in the Faculty are introduced and discussed. Students will need to discuss details of specific methods and their use with their supervisors. Students will be provided opportunities to discuss their research projects and get feedback over the semester.

On completion of the subject students should be able to:

• Design an appropriate research program for their Research Project (which is part of various Honors degree programs)

• Propose a research topic and survey the relevant literature

• Use results of a literature search to refine research questions and subsequently select appropriate research methods

• Demonstrate an understanding of various research approaches and paradigms and methods of data collection and analysis

• Implement thesis writing skills

Progressive assessment of written work and oral class presentations equivalent of not more than 5000 words. Assessments are based on statements of rationale and aims of individual research projects (500 words), development of research questions and/or hypotheses, and a major paper that outlines the student's research design and selection of method(s) (2500 words). Students are also required to prepare a draft literature review (2000 words) in order to be permitted to embark on a research project subject in semester 2.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Critical thinking and analysis
• Ability to seek out, retrieve and evaluate complex information
• Lucid expression of complex concepts in written and oral form
• Time management skills
• Appreciation and implementation of the ethics associated with knowledge creation and usage
• Creative thinking and problem identification
• Report writing skills