SS2004:03
Researching Social Issues
Townsville, Cairns, Mackay, External
HECS Band 1
39 hours seminars or the equivalent by external delivery. Internal Cairns, Townsville, Mackay campuses, Semester 1. External, Semester 1.
Staff: Ms N Harris (Townsville campus); Dr W Earles (Cairns campus).
Introduction to the concept, principles and process of researching social issues. Students are introduced to a variety of research designs and methods of collecting and analysing qualitative and quantitative information.
Learning Objectives:
- understand the research process and the competing philosophies that guide the practice of research;
- understand ethical issues in conducting research;
- know how to define a research question and develop a literature review;
- describe and distinguish the different types of qualitative and quantitative research;
- know how to design a research proposal and carry it out;
- know how to analyse and write up research results;
- read research reports critically and intelligently.
Assessment by written assignments (70%); in-class examination (30%).