This course provides a guide to the processes and methods of social research, with emphasis on qualitative rather than quantitative research, and on the kinds of research questions and environments that researchers are liable to encounter in development work. The research process can be considered to be divided into four phases: Formulating Research Questions (and dealing with research requests), Gathering Data, Analysing Data, and Writing Up. This course focuses especially on the Gathering Data phase. We will explore, and pay critical attention to, certain 'rapid assessment' methods and tools that have become standard in many kinds of development work in the last two to three decades. These tools are used to map or document the varied relationships between members of local communities and their environmental, social and cultural resources. We will explore the concept of 'participation' that underlies those tools. We will consider differences and similarities between these participatory development tools and standard anthropological methods. Throughout, we will keep in mind questions of research ethics, kinds of knowledge and observation, and the politics, conflicts and dynamics of research with and within local communities.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
Upon Successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Explore and compare the formulation of research questions in the social sciences and in development
- Demonstrate experience of a range of basic (largely qualitative) data-collection methods used in the social sciences and in development work and awareness of practical and critical issues in the use of these methods
- Explore a range of ethical issues relevant to social research
- Understand research design, and be able to choose rigorous and practical research methods to address a problem focused research question(s)
Indicative Assessment
Minor Essay 2500 words 20% (LO 1, 2)
Major Essay 3500 words 25% (LO 1, 2, 3)
Research Project 5000 words 50% (LO 1, 2, 3, 4)
Participation 5% (LO 1, 2, 3)
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
260 hours of total student learning time made up from: a) 36 hours of seminars; and b) 224 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Readings will change according to topics offered.Assumed Knowledge
Completion of a cognate majorSpecialisations
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 12 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 12.00 | 0.25000 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2017 | $5712 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2017 | $8160 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Principles of social research | ||||||
| 3668 | 20 Feb 2017 | 27 Feb 2017 | 31 Mar 2017 | 26 May 2017 | In Person | N/A |