Applied Research for Evaluation

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

170

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 designed to provide students with an overview of the methodologies for conducting research in evaluation. In particular, the subject provides students with an introduction to the philosophical backgrounds and influences on social research, epistemological and ontological considerations, and the basic foundations of research design, logic of inquiry, and ethics of social research. Students will work on developing research questions and operationalise them to enable data gathering, analysis and interpretation as well as evaluate existing social research.

• Demonstrate knowledge of the various philosophical approaches to research
• Demonstrate knowledge of basic foundations of research design including ethical requirements of research involving human subjects
• Formulate research questions and operationalise relevant constructs using appropriate tools
• Evaluate social research literature to make informed decisions

Term 3 and July:

• Quizzes (5 ~100 words each), due Weeks 1-8 (10%)

• Exams (2 ~1000 words each), due Week 4 and Week 9 (40%)

• Research Proposal Project (~2500 words total), due end of Week 9 (50%)

Hurdle Requirement: Human Ethics module, end of Week 8 (marked score of at least 80%)

Term 4 and October:

• Quizzes (6 ~400 words each), due Weeks 1-8 (50%)

• Research Proposal Project (~2500 words total), due end of Week 9 (50%)

Hurdle Requirement: Human Ethics module, end of Week 8 (marked score of at least 80%)

Punch, K. (2014). Introduction to social research: quantitative & qualitative approaches. Los Angeles, California SAGE.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.