Methods of Social Research

• • Introduction: Research in the social sciences
  • Research traditions, research designs and research questions
  • Identifying research data - Using secondary sources
  • Qualitative research
  • Collecting qualitative data
  • Analysing qualitative data
  • Quantitative research in practice
  • Introduction to Quantitative Research
  • Social Surveys and Sampling
  • Writing Social Surveys
  • Quantitative Data Analysis I
  • Quantitative Data Analysis II
  • Ethics in social research

• Study resources

  • Instructional methods

    • Discussion forum/Discussion Board
    • Online assignment submission
    • Standard Media

  • Online materials

    • Resources and Links

Equivalent subjects

You cannot enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:

• MAQ-SGY240
• MAQ-SOCX224-Methods of Social Research

Others

You must complete Level 1 Sociology before starting this subject.

Special requirements

• OtherDetails -

  Students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy are not permitted to enrol in OUA units offered by Macquarie University. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.

This subject was previously known as SGY240, SOCX224 Methods of Social Research.

Social research is essential in the contemporary world and an important field of employment for graduates in the social sciences and humanities. This unit gives students an opportunity to develop practical skills designing social and organisational research; and in collecting, analysing and presenting data to address research questions. You will consider the best research methods to use and the problems, limitations and traps likely to be encountered by inexperienced researchers. You will also consider the ethical issues in social research, and the impact of new information technologies on social research. A major emphasis in the unit is on the practice of social research. A series of task-based activities introduces major methodological techniques, basic qualitative and quantitative approaches, including interviewing, focus groups, textual analysis, and participant observation. Students also receive a basic introduction to SPSS. Research methods useful to community generated research are also explored. No knowledge of statistics is required

• Weekly Quiz (10%)
• Participation (10%)
• Research Proposal Group Component (10%)
• Research Proposal Individual Component (10%)
• Final Report Group Component (15%)
• Final Report Individual Component (15%)
• Final Exam (30%)