Social Research Design and Evaluation

This subject is not offered in 2014.

120 hours

Sociology at Undergraduate level

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/

This subject examines various social research design and evaluation approaches to the study of social interaction. Students will critically examine the utility of, and theoretical underpinnings behind advanced methods of collecting, analysing and writing up social research. The subject will also analyse the relationship between policy evaluation and social research, notably in the context of debates around evidence based policy.

On completion of this subject students should:

• be able to examine the processes of social research, including designing a research proposal, conducting fieldwork, and writing up a final research piece;
• be familiar with research strategies, methods and ethics in social research design and evaluation;
• be able to understand the relationship between policy evaluation and social research design.

A reading critique assignment of 1000 words (20%) due in the first half of the semester, a response paper of 1000 words (20%) due towards the end of semester, a research proposal of 3000 words (60%) due during the examination period.

Hurdle Requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed. Regular participation in class is required.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

A subject reader will be available from the subject LMS site at the beginning of semester.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students should:

• be able to apply research skills and critical methods to a field of inquiry;
• be able to develop persuasive arguments on a given topic;
• be able to communicate oral and written arguments and ideas effectively and articulately.

This is a compulsory subject in the Master of Social Policy (100 & 200-point programs).