Unit Session 400337Social Research Methods Summer 2013-2014
LEARNING GUIDE School of Social Sciences and Psychology Please read this document and the accompanying SSAPguide very carefully for everything you need to know about the unit. If you need help, check both (and your unit vUWS site) first. If you still need help, please contact us as per Section 2.1 of the SSAPguide. Unit Weekly Schedule Follows on next page for your convenience Contents of Section 1: Unit Information 1.0 Unit Code and Name 1.1 Coordinator Unit coordinator 1.2 Summary Handbook summary 1.
Unit Session 400337Social Research Methods Summer 2013-2014 LEARNING GUIDE School of Social Sciences and Psychology Please read this document and the accompanying SSAPguide very carefully for everything you need to know about the unit. If you need help, check both (and your unit vUWS site) first. If you still need help, please contact us as per Section 2.1 of the SSAPguide. Unit Weekly Schedule Follows on next page for your convenience Contents of Section 1: Unit Information 1.0 Unit Code and Name 1.1 Coordinator Unit coordinator 1.2 Summary Handbook summary 1.3 Unit Level and Credit Point Value 1.4 Campus Campus and time of offer (Day, Night) 1.5 Prerequisites and Corequisites, and Assumed Prior Knowledge 1.6 Incompatible Unit(s) incompatible with, Restrictions, and Requirements 1.7 Content Summary of unit content 1.8 Outcomes Unit learning outcomes 1.9 Assessment Summary of assessments (Also read SSAPguide Section 4) Contents of Sections 2-6: Unit and Assessment Details 2.0 Introduction Message and list of essential attachments 2.1 Consultation Contact details and consultation times of teaching staff 2.2 Delivery Mode of delivery 2.3 Attendance Attendance requirements 2.4 Feedback Changes to unit in response to student feedback 2.5 Textbook Prescribed text book for unit 2.6 Readings Essential readings 2.7 Resources Any other resources (other than those listed at bottom of this page) 2.8 Referencing Required referencing style for this unit 2.9 Alignment How teaching and assessment align with unit and course outcomes 3 ASSESSMENT 1 Full details of assessment items, each with subsections as follows: 4 ASSESSMENT 2 1 Due date and time 5 ASSESSMENT 3 2 Submission instructions 6 ASSESSMENT 4 3 Description of assessment requirements 4 Criteria: Marking criteria and standards Internet access: You must have internet access for this unit, preferably high speed broadband (or use University facilities) vUWS: You must access the unit vUWS site at least twice a week to check for any new content or announcements iPad: Owning an iPad is strongly recommended, as some units are optimised for iPad FREE ADOBE READER: This Learning Guide is an Adobe PDF document with internal attachments. To access attachments you may need to download and open it in latest FREE Adobe Reader, available at http://get.adobe.com/reader/ You MUST use free Adobe reader app to access attachments on iPad. School of Social Sciences and Psychology Unit Outline or Learning Guide Page 1Summer Schedule Unit Weekly Schedule (Link to Handbook and timetable for unit: http://handbook.uws.edu.au/hbook/unit.aspx?unit=400337) Week & Date ONLINE Lecture AND FACE-TO-FACE Workshop Topic ESSENTIAL Readings Text is Walter (2013) See UNIT WORKBOOK for others Assessment 1A 6/1/2014 LECTURE 1, WORKSHOP 1: Introduction to research methods Text, Chs. 1 and 3 Anderson, Bunda, & Walker (2008) 1B 9/1/2014 LECTURE 2, WORKSHOP 2: Conceptualising the research process Text, Ch. 1 Crotty (1998), Ch. 1. ASSESSMENT 1: Online Quiz 1 Opens: 6pm Thur Jan 9 Closes: 11pm Fri Jan 10 2A 13/1/2014 LECTURE 3, WORKSHOP 3: Ethics in social research Research concepts: Reliability and validity Reading/writing research Text, Chs. 1,2,3,4 and 16 Brookfield (1993), Toombs (2012) ASSESSMENT 2: Reflection 1 Due 11pm Mon Jan 13 2B 16/1/2014 LECTURE 4, WORKSHOP 4: From epistemology to methodology to Method: First steps in designing a research proposal Research terms: Objectivity, subjectivity, reflexivity Text, Chs. 2 and 3 Denscombe (2010), Ch. 5 ASSESSMENT 1: Online Quiz 2 Opens: 6pm Thur Jan 16 Closes: 11pm Fri Jan 17 3A 20/1/2014 LECTURE 5, WORKSHOP 5: Developing a research question Overview of social research designs: Qualitative and quantitative approaches, specific research designs Text, Chs. Various ASSESSMENT 2: Reflection 2 Due 11pm Mon Jan 20 3B 23/1/2014 LECTURES 6a and 6b, WORKSHOP 6: LECTURE 6a: Sampling LECTURE 6b:Approaches to research & research methods Text, Ch. 2,3,5 and 6 Bryman (2012), Chs. 8 and 18 4A 28/1/2014 LECTURE 7, WORKSHOP 7: Research data collection methods: Interviews, Focus groups, Participant observation Text, Chs. 2, 10, 13 and 15 4B 30/1/2014 LECTURE 8, WORKSHOP 8: Analysing data in social research Text, Chs.2,7,8,9,11,12 ASSESSMENT 1: Online Quiz 3 Opens: 6pm Thur Jan 30 Closes: 11pm Fri Jan 31 ASSESSMENT 2: Reflection 3 Due 11pm Thur Jan 30 5 3/2/2014 No Lecture, WORKSHOP 9: Designing your research proposal 10 3/2/2014 STUVAC Student exam study vacation 11 10/2/2014 FORMAL EXAMINATION PERIOD ASSESSMENT 3: Research Proposal Due 11pm Mon Feb 10 School of Social Sciences and Psychology Unit Outline or Learning Guide Page 2SECTION 1: Unit Information 400337 1.0 Unit Code 400337 1.0 Unit Name Social Research Methods 1.1 Coordinator(s) Christopher Roffey 1.2 Summary This unit will focus on research in the social sciences beginning with the question: “What is social research?” The content of the unit examines the process of social research from its epistemological and theoretical underpinnings, understanding of data collection and data analysis, through to developing a research question and designing a research proposal. The unit will enable students to develop a theoretical understanding of the research process; examine ethical considerations in relation to research; and the steps required in developing a research proposal. Applications of research in the social sciences as policy and as practice will be integrated with the unit content. Students will develop a research plan as the basis for 101552 Applied Social Research. 1.3 Unit Level 2 1.3 Credit Points 10 1.4 Campus Bankstown (Day), Penrith (Day) 1.5 Prerequisites 80 credit points of completed study. 1.5 Corequisites None 1.5 Knowledge No prior knowledge is assumed 1.6 Incompatible There are no incompatible units 1.6 Restrictions None 1.6 Requirements None 1.7 Content Major content of unit: 1. What is research theoretical underpinnings (epistemology, research paradigms, research methodology) 2. Key research concepts including reliability, validity, subjectivity, objectivity 3. Research Ethics 4. The politics and practice of research (reading research and applying research) 5. Introduction to methods for collecting and analysing data (undoing the quantitative/qualitative binary, mixed methods, data collection, data analysis) 6. Designing a research project School of Social Sciences and Psychology Unit Outline or Learning Guide Page 31.8 Outcomes After successful completion of this Unit, students will be able to: 1. Demonstrate a clear understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of research and the construction of knowledge in the social sciences. 2. Demonstrate an understanding of research ethics in the social sciences. 3. Identify key research concepts, research designs, data collection and analysis methods in the social sciences. 4. Develop a smallscale research proposal appropriate to the social sciences that demonstrates a basic grasp of the research process. 5. Comprehend and critically review research literature at an introductory level. 1.9 Assessment Assessment Overview: Assessment Worth Length Outcomes Threshold 1 Online Quizzes 20% 3 x 20 questions each 1, 2, 3 No 2 Reflections (Preparatory to Assessment 3) 30% 3 written content reflections (each 400 words, worth 10%) 1 ,2, 3, 4 No 3 Research proposal 50% 1,800 words 3, 4, 5 Yes* Students must attempt all assessment items in order to be eligible to pass the unit. *For the Assessment 3 Research Proposal students MUST pass this assessment item in order to be eligible to Pass the unit. Because a pass in this unit is a prerequisite for 101552 Applied Social Research, students who fail Assessment 3, but achieve at least 45% of the worth of the assessment (i.e., 22.5/50) will have the opportunity to resubmit their research proposal within 1 week of the assessment’s return to try to achieve a passing grade (capped at 25/50). School of Social Sciences and Psychology Unit Outline or Learning Guide Page 4SECTIONS 2-6: Unit and Assessment Details 2.0 Introduction Welcome to 400337 Social Research Methods UWS Summer Session 2013/2014 Attachments in this document
are: • SSAPguide • 400337_Assessment3 (Instructions,marking criteria for Assessment 3) 2.1 Consultation For Queries or to arrange a meeting contact Chris Roffey at c.roffey@uws.edu.au 2.2 Delivery This unit is delivered as follows: • Lectures prerecorded and available on vUWS • Tutorials 9 x 2 hour Face to Face sessions over 5 weeks (Refer to attachment 400337_UnitWorkbook for more information) 2.3 Attendance Students are expected to view all online lectures and attend all tutorials 2.4 Feedback Recent changes made to this unit for Summer are: • Introduction of Online Quizzes as Assessment 1 to support student learning • Removal of the online discussion requirement and amendments to the critical reflections of learning to ensure timely feedback for the final assignment • More detailed instructions for Assessment 3. 2.5 Textbook Walter, M (ed.) 2010, Social Research Methods, 2nd edn, Oxford University Press, South Melbourne. OR Walter, M (ed.) 2013, Social Research Methods, 3rd edn, Oxford University Press, South Melbourne. These are interchangeable; the 3rd edition will have more recent examples in it but essentially the same topic content. In the list below I have just listed the 2013 version but either applies depending on which version you have obtained from the bookshop. There is also a Text by Bryman: Bryman, A 2012, Social research methods (4th ed.), Oxford University Press, Oxford. This text covers the same material as Walter and usually in far more detail. We do not set it as a text as it is very expensive. However, there are copies in closed reserve in the library and it can be used in addition or as an alternative to Walter if you wish. 2.6 Readings General References Ali, S. et al. (2004) ‘Politics, Identities and Research’ in Seale, C. (ed.) Researching Society and Culture London, Sage Blumer, H. (2002) ‘The Ethics of Social Research’ in Gilbert, N. (ed.) Researching Social Life London, Sage Bryman, A. (2012) Social Research Methods. 4th Edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press. School of Social Sciences and Psychology Unit Outline or Learning Guide Page 5Bryman, A. & Burgess, R. (1994) (eds.) Analyzing qualitative data New York, Routledge Denscombe, M. (2010) Ground Rules for Social Research: Guidelines for Good Practice. Maidenhead, England: Open University Press Devine, F. & Heath. S. (1999) Sociological Research Methods in Context. Basingstoke: Palgrave. De Vaus, D. (2002) Surveys in Social Research. London:, Routledge Hammersley, M.(1995) The Politics of Social Research London, Sage Healey, J. (2005) Statistics: a Tool for Social Research. Belmont, Thomson Wadsworth Mason, J and Dale, A. (Eds) (2011) Understanding Social Research: thinking creatively about method. London: Sage Publications Ltd. Matthews, B. And Ross, L. (2010) Research methods: a practical guide for the social sciences. Edinburgh Gate, Harlow: Pearson Education Limited. Seale, C. (2004) ‘Coding and Analysing Data’ in Seale, C. (ed.) Researching Society and Culture London, Sage Lecture Topic Readings A list of readings for each of the lecture topics is provided in the attachment titled 400337_LectureReadings 2.7 Resources The only required resources are those listed at the bottom of page 1. 2.8 Referencing The referencing requirement for units in Social Science is the Harvard style. Full details on the Harvard style of referencing can be found at: http://library.uws.edu.au/FILES/cite_Harvard.pdf You are required to research all your assignments thoroughly. Although you are encouraged to explore your own perspectives, thoughts and responses within tutorial discussions, ensure that you support your arguments within written work with a variety of academic sources – you will have the opportunity to explore relevant social methods sources so make sure that you use them. 2.9 Alignment Teaching and assessment in this unit align with learning outcomes as follows: • Assessment 1 aligns with Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3 • Assessment 2 aligns with Learning Outcome 1, 2, 3, 5 • Assessment 3 aligns with Learning Outcome 3, 4 SECTION THREE School of Social Sciences and Psychology Unit Outline or Learning Guide Page 6FIRST ASSESSMENT 3.0 Assessment Online Quizzes Worth: 20% 3.1 Due BEFORE Monday 3.2 Submission There are 3 separate online quizzes to complete each due as follows: ONLINE QUIZ 1 Opens: 6pm Thurs 9 Jan Closes: 11pm Fri 10 Jan ONLINE QUIZ2 Opens: 6pm Thurs 16 Jan Closes: 11pm Fri 17 Jan ONLINE QUIZ 3 Opens: 6pm Thurs 30 Jan Closes: 11pm Fri 31 Jan 3.3 Description The quizzes draw on the content of the online lectures, face to face tutorials and readings. 3.4 Criteria For each quiz there are 20 questions with a total possible score for each quiz of 20. The overall mark for Assignment 1 is determined by dividing the total score from the 3 quizzes by 3 to achieve a mark out of 20. SECTION FOUR SECOND ASSESSMENT 4.0 Assessment Critical reflection on learning (1,200 words – 400 words each) Worth: 30% 4.1 Due There are 3 parts to this assessment due as detailed in Section 4.2 4.2 Submission Submission to Turnitin via the submission link on vUWS REFLECTION 1: Due: 11pm, Mon 13 Jan REFLECTION 2: Due: 11pm, Mon 20 Jan REFLECTION 3: Due: 11pm, Thurs 30 Jan School of Social Sciences and Psychology Unit Outline or Learning Guide Page 7• Answering another series of questions about how you might develop your research proposal, based on your learning. Try to make your answers as clear and concise as possible. REFLECTION 1: Research question Due 11pm Monday 13 Jan 2014 To complete this activity you need to complete the following activities Read and take notes of the following: Relevant aspects of the textbook related to developing a research question • Walter 2013 relevant sections Chapters 1, 2, 3; and/or • Bryman 2012 (or earlier versions) relevant sections of Chapters 1 and 2 AND at least ONE of the following 4 articles reporting research • Blagg, H & Valuri, G 2004, ‘Aboriginal community patrols in Australia: Selfpolicing, selfdetermination and security’, Policing and Society, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 31328. • Bolzan, N & Gale, F 2012, ‘Using an interrupted space to explore social resilience with marginalized young people’, Qualitative Social Work, vol. 11, no. 5, pp. 50216. • Dunn, K & Nelson, JK 2011, ‘Challenging the Public Denial of Racism for a Deeper Multiculturalism’, Journal of Intercultural Studies, vol. 32, no. 6, pp. 587602. Answer the following 3 questions in relation to ONE of the research articles 1. Explain in your own words what the research is about and the specific research question. (Give page references to link your explanation to the text.) 2. What justifications have the researcher(s) provided for undertaking the research? (Give page references to link your explanation to the text.); and 3. How have the researchers argued that the research builds on already existing knowledge in the field? (Give page references to link your explanation to the text.) Answer the following 3 questions in relation to your research proposal 1. Identity a topic you would be interested in researching that relates to your university study, or work, or other interests that fit into a social research topic 2. Give some background/explanation to your interest in the topic and identify specific issues of interest within the topic 3. Based on your interest, identify the Who? What? Where? How? Why? And When? of the issue 4. Draft a research question that best reflects what you wish to research and that reflects an aspect(s) of the social sciences School of Social Sciences and Psychology Unit Outline or Learning Guide Page 8 4.3 Description Assessment 2 consists of three Learning Reflections designed to assist you in working towards your major assessment (Assessment 3 your research proposal). Each involves: • Reading parts of the text, and a journal article, and taking notes on them. • Answering several questions on your readings to help you understand the concepts.To complete this activity you need to complete the following activities Read
and take note
s of the following: • Crotty, M 1998, The Foundations of Social Research: Meaning and Perspective in the Research Process, Allen & Unwin, St Leonards, NSW. (Ch 1), AND • Bryman 2012 relevant sections of Chapters 1 and 2 OR • Walter 2013 relevant sections Chapters 1 AND at least ONE of the following 3 articles reporting research • Dunn, KM, Kamp, A, Shaw W, Forrest, J & Paradies, Y 2010, ‘Indigenous Australians’ attitudes towards multiculturalism, cultural diversity, ‘race’ and racism”’, Journal of Australian Indigenous Issues, vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 1931. • Holt, A & Pamment, N 2011, ‘Overcoming the challenges of researching ‘young offenders’: using assisted questionnaires a research note 14: 2,’ International Journal of Social Research Methodology, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 12533. • Muli, C, Pittaway, E & Shteir, S 2009, ‘”I have a voicehear me!” Findings of an Australian study examining the resettlement and integration experience of refugees and migrants from the horn of Africa in Australia’, Refuge, vol. 26, no. 2, 2009 Fall, pp. 13346. Answer the following 2 questions in relation to ONE of the research articles 1. Explain briefly in your own words the epistemology; theoretical perspective; methodology of each of the selected research articles. 2. Identify in the research article texts (via page references and quotes) the areas in each of the articles that have formed the basis of your explanations and the key words that demonstrate the positioning of the researchers Answer the following 3 questions in relation to your research proposal 1. Write a statement on your purpose as a researcherWrite a statement on your purpose as a researcher In order to complete this statement, think about the readings and the following prompts: ◾ Do you want to change the world? ◾ Do you want to find out how something works? ◾ Are you interested in the social justice aspects of your research? ◾ Is your concern with measuring the outcome of a change in policy? ◾ Is your interest in oppression and exploitation? ◾ Is your interest in gender and/or race and/or class…? ◾ Are you interested in quantitative research and statistical mapping? ◾ Do you want to understand the meaning of things? ◾ Are you interested in how things change over time? 2. Drawing on the set readings make a statement about how you are positioned in terms of epistemology and theoretical framework. 3. What methodological approach will you take to your research/how will your research be designed? School of Social Sciences and Psychology Unit Outline or Learning Guide Page 9 REFLECTION 2: Epistemology/Theoretical Perspective/Methodology Due 11pm Mon 20 Jan 2014 REFLECTION 3: Methods for collecting and analysing data Due 11pm Thursday 30 Jan 2014 To complete this activity you need to complete the following activities Read and take notes of the following: Relevant aspects of the textbook (Walter or Bryman) related to collecting and analysing research data, in particular read sections that address the method(s) you plan to use and need to outline in your research proposal. AND at least ONE of the following research articles • Stevenson, D, Dunn, K, Possamai, A & Piracha, A 2010, ‘Religious Belief across ‘Postsecular’ Sydney: the multiple trends in (de)secularisation’, Australian Geographer, vol. 41, no. 3, pp. 32350. • Bhatti, G 2003, ‘ Social Justice and nontraditional participants in higher education’, in C Vincent (ed.), Social Justice, Education and Identity, Routledge, London, UK, pp. 6582. • Supriya Singh (2011): Indian Students in Melbourne: Challenges to Multiculturalism, Journal of Intercultural Studies, 32:6, 673689. Answer the following 5 questions in relation to the ONE of the research articles above 1. Explain in your own words what method(s) have been used to gather the research data 2. What justification/explanation for choosing these methods was provided 3. Explain in your own words what method(s) have been used to analyse the research data 4. What justification/explanation for choosing these methods was provided 5.
Explain in your own words whether there is a rationale linking the research process reported in the articles from theoretical perspective and research purpose through to research design and the research methods? Answer the following 4 questions in relation to your research proposal On the basis of the readings, your previous reflections and the following prompts • The purpose of the research; • Your perspective on the research; • The research design; and • The form(s) you want the data in for collection and analysis and for the final research report 1. Participant selection – who is your target population for the proposed research and how do you plan to recruit your participants 2. Methods to gather data and what form(s) will the data take be as specific as you can, stating quantitative or qualitative is not the answer, you need to give specific methods eg interviews, focus group, observation, selfadministered survey, Likert scale questionnaire, online survey in what format, etc. 3. Methods to analysis data Methods to analysis data be specific, what form will the data be in; how will you analyse the data, eg, computer program for qualitative or quantitative data – SPSS or NVivo or more simply with Excel or manual analysis; what will you do with the data in the data program or manually; eg statistical analysis (be detailed), qualitative analysis such as discourse analysis; thematic/content analysis, etc.; and what form will the results take once analysed? School of Social Sciences and Psychology Unit Outline or Learning Guide Page 104.4 Criteria Marking Criteria and Standards for each Reflection: Criteria HD D C P F 1. Evidence of reading set texts and research reports Clear evidence of sophisticated and critical reading and understanding of the readings Clear evidence of thorough reading Clear evidence of reading Some evidence of reading Little or no evidence of reading 2.Addresses questions Reflection addresses questions clearly and logically and with considerable insight Reflection addresses questions clearly and logically and with some insight Reflection adequately addresses questions and provides clear and logical responses Reflection adequately addresses most of the set questions Reflection does not adequately address many of the set questions 3.Understands research articles Demonstrates sophisticated and critical understanding of the research articles Demonstrates critical understanding of the research articles Demonstrates good understanding of the research articles Demonstrates aqequate understanding of the research articles Demonstrates little or no understanding of the research articles 4.Understands research process Demonstrates sophisticated understanding of the research process Demonstrates good understanding of the research process Demonstrates developing understanding of the research process Some signs that an understanding of the research process is beginning Little or no demonstrated understanding of the research process 5. Quality written work Sophisticated written work High standard of written work throughout Good standard of written work overall Standard of written work generally adequate Standard of written work generally inadequate 5. Quality referencing Professional standard referencing throughout High standard of referencing overall Good standard of referencing overall Standard of referencing generally adequate Referencing poor to nonexistent School of Social Sciences and Psychology Unit Outline or Learning Guide Page 11SECTION FIVE THIRD ASSESSMENT 5.0 Assessment RESEARCH PROPOSAL (1,800 words) Worth: 50% 5.1 Due BEFORE Monday 10 February, 2014, 11:00 PM 5.2 Submission Submission to Turnitin via the submission link on vUWS 5.3 Description Research Proposal Template The research proposal follows a standard template to provide an overview of the research and explain the different aspects of the planned research process. Before any research can be approved there must be a research proposal that clearly sets out the purpose of the research, the need for the research and the stages to be undertaken. The following template must be followed as a necessary requirement for Assignment 3. 1. Introduction 2. Research question, significance and aims of the research i. Research question ii. Significance iii. Aims of the research 3. Background 4. Preliminary literature review 5. Conceptual framework and Methodology i. Epistemological position ii. Theoretical perspective iii. Methodology iv. Research design 6. Ethics 7. Research Methods i. Participant selection ii. Methods for collecting research data iii. Methods for analysing research data 8. Timetable of proposed research 9. Report and Dissemination 10. References Instructions and Guidelines for the Proposal Detailed instructions and Guidelines for the proposal are provided in the attached titled 400337_Assessment3. BE SURE TO READ THESE VERY CAREFULLY AT THE START OF SEMESTER. 5.4 Criteria Marking Criteria and Standards The detailed marking criteria and standards are provided in the attachment titled 400337_Assessment3 School of Social Sciences and Psychology Unit Outline or Learning Guide Page 12
