Social Research Methods

Subject NRMT40005 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points:

12.50

Level:

4 (Undergraduate)

Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Semester 1, Parkville - 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: Thirty-five hours of lectures and workshops, offered in block mode
Total Time Commitment: Not available

Prerequisites:

Nil

Corequisites:

Nil

Recommended Background Knowledge:

Nil

Non Allowed Subjects:

Nil

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Kathryn Williams, Assoc Prof Ruth Beilin

Contact

Melbourne School of Land & Environment Student Centre
Ground Floor, Land & Food Resources (building 142)

Enquiries
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352)
Email: 13MELB@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:	Understanding of social process and action is critical to effective land management and social research skills are therefore valued by resource management agencies. The subject aims to equip students with knowledge and skills to design social research which can be used to improve management of natural resources, agricultural and food systems. The research process is considered step by step including scoping research issues, the evolution of research questions, and selection of appropriate methods. A number of research strategies are considered in more detail including survey research, case studies and action research. Social research ethics, quality in social research and advances in social research methods are examined.
Objectives:	The aim of this unit is to assist students to develop an: understanding of the process of social research ability to select appropriate methodological frameworks and to match research tools to these approaches understanding of ethical considerations in social research ability to prepare research proposals
Assessment:	Assignment: Developing research questions – 250 words, 15% of final mark. Essay: Qualitative and quantitative approaches to a research project–1500 words. 40% of final mark. Research Proposal - 2000 words, 45% of final mark
Prescribed Texts:	Seale, C. (2004). Social Research Methods: A Reader. London/NewYork: Routledge Student Readers. Bryman, A. (2004) Social Research Methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press (2nd edition)
Breadth Options:	This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information:	Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:	N/A
Related Course(s):	Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Honours) Bachelor of Agriculture (Honours) Bachelor of Agriculture (Honours) Bachelor of Animal Science and Management with Honours Bachelor of Food Science (Honours) Bachelor of Forest Science (Honours) Bachelor of Horticulture (Honours) Bachelor of Natural Resource Management with Honours Bachelor of Science (Degree with Honours)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations:	Bachelor of Environments (Honours) Environmental Geographies, Politics and Cultures Bachelor of Environments (Honours) Landscape Management Environmental Studies Geography Geography

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