Research Methods (Masters)

This subject is not offered in 2014.

120 hours

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 is primarily designed to support students who plan to undertake one of the Research Project subjects offered in the Faculty. The emphasis is on helping these students define a research topic, survey the relevant literature, use results of their literature search to define research questions and to select appropriate research methods to answer these questions. The classes provide an overview of some commonly used methods for data collection and analysis, the process undertaken in designing and conducting a research project, and writing an academic research project report. Concurrent with this subject students will need to discuss details of specific methods and literature within their individual topic areas with their research project supervisors.

• Knowledge of techniques and skills involved in the research process
• Ability to analyse problems and shape a research project to address the issues identified
• Ability to write and make oral presentations on research

A total of 5000 words in three written assignments (worth 80% of the unit grade) and a 15 minute oral class representation (worth 20% of the unit grade). The assignments consist of a draft introductory chapter (1000 words, due in week 7), a research design/methods chapter (1000 words due in week 10), and a literature review chapter (3000 words, due in week 12) that will be incorporated into the student's final research project report, if applicable.

David Evans and Paul Gruba, How to Write a Better Thesis, 2nd edition, Melbourne University Press, 2002.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of the subject students should have developed the following skills and capabilities:

• Identification of critical issues/problems
• Written, verbal and graphic communication of ideas
• Ability to analyse social and cultural contexts