Overview
This unit familiarises students with the practice of researching and the collection of data. Through the development of core skills, students are introduced to both qualitative and quantitative methods. Links between theory and social research methods are investigated in an effort to understand the production and analysis of social research data. At the end of the unit students should be able to critically assess and analyse the application and use of appropriate research methods. Within this framework students should be able to devise and undertake a social survey, understand and explain the application of both quantitative and qualitative research methods, and be able to use both quantitative and qualitative approaches to their research.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Successful completion of 48 credit points.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2022
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Unit Evaluation
Students to be allowed to select their own research topics for the two written assessments.
Students will select their own social issues for the assessments. Examples of suitable social issues will be provided and students will be encouraged to confirm their selected social issues with the unit coordinator.
Feedback from Unit Evaluation
Provide students with more exemplars of report format and quantitative assignments.
More exemplars will be provided and clearer Assessment structure information provided.
Feedback from Unit Evaluation
Finding some assessment resources in the Assessment tile.
The Moodle site will provide separate sections for each of the three assessments in the Assessment tile.
Feedback from Unit Evaluation, email
An engaging and interesting unit with good assessments. The lectures, tutorials, teaching and support provided by the unit coordinator helped students learn.
To continue to support and engage with students.
Feedback from Unit Evaluation
Provide a better practice quiz.
The practice quiz will be expanded in the number of questions and improved.
- Apply a range of skills and competencies that critically evaluate the use and application of research methods and the analysis of data.
- Conduct a social survey.
- Explain and discuss both the benefits and limitations of qualitative and quantitative research and their appropriate contexts for application, while having and understanding of the constraints and concerns associated with undertaking and supervising a research project.
- Apply both qualitative and quantitative research techniques.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20% | ||||
2 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||
3 - Written Assessment - 40% |
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
1 - Communication | ||||
2 - Problem Solving | ||||
3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
4 - Information Literacy | ||||
5 - Team Work | ||||
6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
8 - Ethical practice | ||||
9 - Social Innovation | ||||
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures |
Textbooks
Social research methods
Edition: 4th edn (2019)
Authors: Walter, M
Oxford University Press
Melbourne Melbourne , Victoria , Australia
ISBN: 9780190310103
Binding: Paperback
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
s.rockloff@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Research and the research process
Chapter
Chapter 1 & 3 of Walter (2019) (prescribed text)
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 1 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Qualitative and quantitative research
Chapter
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 2 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Research design and research questions
Chapter
Chapter 2 of Walter (2019) (prescribed text)
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 3 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Chapter 4 of Walter (2019) (prescribed text)
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 4 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Qualitative and quantitative methodologies
Chapter
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 5 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Measuring and sampling
Chapter
Chapter 5 of Walter (2019) (prescribed text)
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 6 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Quantitative research - Constructing and conducting surveys
Chapter
Chapter 6 of Walter (2019) (prescribed text)
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 7 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Quantitative research - Analysing data and presenting survey results
Chapter
Chapter 8 & 9 of Walter (2019) (prescribed text)
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 8 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Qualitative research method - interviewing
Chapter
Chapter 10 of Walter (2019) (prescribed text)
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 9 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Qualitative research - Analysing the data
Chapter
Chapter 11 & 13 of Walter (2019) (prescribed text)
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 10 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Quality in research - Rigour
Chapter
Visit the study week schedule on Moodle for Week 11 set readings and activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Review week
Chapter
No set readings for this week.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Online Quiz(zes)
1
Week 4 Friday (5 Aug 2022) 11:00 pm AEST
Week 5 Monday (8 Aug 2022)
No Assessment Criteria
- Apply a range of skills and competencies that critically evaluate the use and application of research methods and the analysis of data.
- Conduct a social survey.
- Explain and discuss both the benefits and limitations of qualitative and quantitative research and their appropriate contexts for application, while having and understanding of the constraints and concerns associated with undertaking and supervising a research project.
- Apply both qualitative and quantitative research techniques.
2 Written Assessment
Aim
The aim of the assessment is to develop a quantitative social survey after reviewing the literature in the area and developing the research question. The purpose is for you to make connections between the unit material, a real-life research approach and the use of a research method.
Instructions
In this assessment you are required to:
1) Select one sociological topic of interest from the list below. If you would like to study a different sociological topic you must get approval from the Unit Coordinator before commencing your assignment preparation.
2) Explore the literature in this area.
3) Identify a research question.
4) Explain the significance/importance (justification) of this question.
5) Explain and discuss the benefits and limitations of a quantitative survey to explore your selected sociological topic and participant group.
6) Prepare the reference lists on a new page.
7) Compose a survey with a maximum of 15 questions on your topic, plus five socio-demographic questions (put all the survey questions and answer choices in the appendix of your assignment). Your survey questions need to produce data to answer your posed research question.
Customise the Information Sheet and Consent Form provided to you in the Assessment tile and include these with your survey.
A few sample surveys will be provided to students as examples. The tutorial sessions will involve skills development using practical exercises on how to identify keywords to undertake a literature review, how to identify and construct a research question, and how to develop a survey and write good survey questions.
Note: You are not to conduct the survey, this is a hypothetical exercise.
Select one (1) of the following sociological topics to research:
1. Body dissatisfaction among young girls
2. Youth homelessness
3. Healthy ageing in older adults
4. Value of multiculturalism in Australia
5. Employment of people living with disability
6. Select your own sociological topic (email the Unit Coordinator for approval before commencing your assignment preparation)
Literature and references
When addressing the assignment topic, you will need to use contemporary literature to support your discussion. When sourcing information, consider the five elements of a quality reference: currency, authority, relevance, objectivity, and coverage. References sourced from the world-wide-web must be from reputable websites such as government, university, or peak national bodies. A minimum of seven (7) up-to-date references, including journal articles and relevant books and websites are to be used. You must correctly reference your paper using American Psychological Association (APA) referencing style (current CQUniversity abridged 7th edition – link available in the Assessment block).
Formatting
A 1500-word limit has been set for this assignment. The assignment requires a cover page, discussion, references and appendix section (Information Sheet, Consent Form, survey questions and answer choices). To help scaffold your assessment refer to Assessment 2. Tips and Overview presentation located in the Assessment block on the Moodle site. Introduction and conclusion sections are not required for this written assessment.
In your assignment, ensure all your sources are properly cited and use your own words to explain any key points or ideas discussed, and use quotes sparingly (no more than 10% of the word count). Quote and paraphrase properly to avoid breaching academic integrity standards. See the referencing style guide for information on how to paraphrase and avoid plagiarism.
Word limit
1500 words (excluding the cover page, reference list and appendix). The word count is considered from the first word of the Discussion section to the last word of the Discussion section. It excludes the cover page and reference list. It includes in-text references and direct quotations. Do not exceed 1500 words.
Requirements
Include a cover page with your name/student number, unit code, assessment number, unit coordinator, and word count (plus extension details if you have received one).
Include a reference list after the discussion section and on a new page.
Use a conventional and legible size 12 font, such as Times New Roman or Arial, with 1.5 line spacing, justified margins and 2.54cm page margins (standard pre-set margin in Microsoft Word).
Include page numbers on each page in a footer.
Write in the third-person perspective.
Use formal academic language (avoid contractions).
Use the APA (7th ed.) referencing style. The CQU library and CQUniversity Academic Learning Centre have an online version available for download.
Do not use dot points or numbered lists in your written assignment (except for the survey).
Submit your Assessment 2 assignment by the due date.
Submit via SOCL19069 Moodle site through Turnitin.
Upload with the file named in the following format: Surname_ First name_ Student number_ A2
Resources
You can use unit resources (e.g., set textbook (Walter (2019)), eBook readings) and other credible sources (e.g. journal articles, books) to reference your argument. The quality and credibility of your sources are important.
For information on academic communication, please go to the Academic Learning Centre Moodle site. The Academic Communication section has many helpful resources, including information for students with English as a second language. Consider attending their Zoom sessions on referencing and academic writing.
Before submitting your final assignment file, we recommend you submit a draft before the due date to review your Turnitin Similarity Score. Instructions are available here.
Double-check all uploaded files to ensure the correct file is submitted. We recommend you save your final assignment file to a new folder and only upload it from this folder.
Submission
Submit your assessment via the unit Moodle site in Microsoft Word format only.
Marking Criteria
Refer to the marking rubric that is available here and on the Moodle site for more detail on how marks will be assigned.
Please follow the instructions in the Assessment tile on how to access the feedback in your marked assignment when it is returned.
Week 8 Monday (5 Sept 2022) 11:00 pm AEST
Week 10 Monday (19 Sept 2022)
- Apply a range of skills and competencies that critically evaluate the use and application of research methods and the analysis of data.
- Conduct a social survey.
- Explain and discuss both the benefits and limitations of qualitative and quantitative research and their appropriate contexts for application, while having and understanding of the constraints and concerns associated with undertaking and supervising a research project.
- Apply both qualitative and quantitative research techniques.
3 Written Assessment
Week 12 Tuesday (4 Oct 2022) 11:00 pm AEST
Exam Week Friday (21 Oct 2022)
21 October 2022
- Apply a range of skills and competencies that critically evaluate the use and application of research methods and the analysis of data.
- Conduct a social survey.
- Explain and discuss both the benefits and limitations of qualitative and quantitative research and their appropriate contexts for application, while having and understanding of the constraints and concerns associated with undertaking and supervising a research project.
- Apply both qualitative and quantitative research techniques.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.