Last chance to study this subject for 2025—enrol by 20 July
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Social Research Methods
UndergraduateMAQ-SOCX20002025
Previously MAQ-SOCX224
Integrate an array of social research methods into your skill set. Weigh up statistical research techniques. Look through case studies and engage in textual analysis. Structure your work by learning to formulate robust research questions.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 20 July 2025
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Start dates
- 28 July 2025
- Price from
- $2,160
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Social Research Methods
About this subject
On successful completion of this subject , you will be able to:
- apply knowledge of the major qualitative and quantitative social research methods to answer important social questions.
- use statistical software (such as SPSS or R) to analyse quantitative data, and use thematic analysis to analyse qualitative data.
- articulate important problems and debates that face social researchers, including the scientific status of social research; the strengths and weaknesses of various methods; validity and reliability; and ethical considerations.
- scope a research problem, design research study, pilot your proposed methods, and write a research proposal to address a serious social issue.
- collect and analyse original data (qualitative and quantitative), and to be able to write this up and present it as professional academic research
- A week-by-week guide to the topics you will explore in this subject will be provided in your study materials.
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
- Mid term online examination (20%)
- Research Proposal (Group Project) (30%)
- Final Report (Group Project) (30%)
- Final Exam (20%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
This research-intensive university in north-western Sydney offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. With over 44,000 current students, Macquarie has a strong reputation for welcoming international students and embracing flexible and convenient study options, including its partnership with Open Universities Australia.
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- 11
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 10
Entry requirements
Prior study
You must have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject:
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
MAQ-SGY240 (Not currently available)
MAQ-SOCX224 (Not currently available)
Others
NCCW (pre-2020 units) SGY240, SOC224, SOC234, SOCX224
Pre-requisite 40cp at 1000 level or above
NCCW (2020 and onwards)
SOCI2000 Methods of Social Research
Additional requirements
- Other requirements - 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.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateMAQ-ART-DEG
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