Year
2021
Units
4.5
Contact
12 x 2-hour seminars per semester
1 x 9-hour independent study weekly
Prerequisites
1 Admission into HBBUS-Bachelor of Business (Honours)
1a Admission into HBCOM-Bachelor of Commerce (Honours)
1b Admission into HBCRIM-Bachelor of Criminology (Honours)
1c Admission into HBA-Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
1d Admission into HBBSC-Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Honours)
1e Admission into BCRIMH-Bachelor of Criminology (Honours)
1f Admission into BIRPSH-Bachelor of International Relations and Political Science (Honours)
1g Admission into HBIRPS-Bachelor of International Relations and Political Science (Honours)
1h Admission into BIRPSHFP-Bachelor of International Relations and Political Science (Honours) - City Campus
2 Admission into GDPRM/BGL-Graduate Diploma in Research Methods
Must Satisfy: (((1 or 1a or 1b or 1c or 1d or 1e or 1f or 1g or 1h)) or (2))
Assessment
Presentation, Proposal, Report
Topic description

In this topic students will investigate the central importance of methodology in social science research. Students will be introduced to the most commonly used quantitative and qualitative research methods in the social sciences. Students will critically reflect on the relationship between research questions and research methods, the benefits and limitations of specific research methods, and how to design and implement a range of methods.

Educational aims

This topic aims to:

  • Develop student understanding of a range of research methods
  • Introduce students to the most commonly used qualitative and quantitative research methods in the social sciences and how to design and implement them
  • Familiarise students with the application of research methods to support examination of specific research questions
  • Cultivate students' capacity to evaluate the benefits and limitations of a range of research methods
Expected learning outcomes
On completion of this topic you will be expected to be able to:

  1. Develop a research question based on an appropriate research method
  2. Discuss the appropriate use of a range of research methods
  3. Justify commonly-used qualitative and quantitative research methods in the social sciences
  4. Critique the benefits and limitations of a range of research methods