• Class Number 9690
  • Term Code 2960
  • Class Info
  • Unit Value 6 units
  • Mode of Delivery In Person
  • COURSE CONVENER
    • Dr Katrin Travouillon
  • LECTURER
    • Dr Katrin Travouillon
  • Class Dates
  • Class Start Date 22/07/2019
  • Class End Date 25/10/2019
  • Census Date 31/08/2019
  • Last Date to Enrol 29/07/2019
SELT Survey Results

In this course, students will develop an advanced understanding of the principles and methods of qualitative research on government, politics, and society. These skills will enable students to critically evaluate the value of arguments made in published academic, policy, and journalistic research. Students will also be able to use these skills to conduct original qualitative research of their own. The course will concentrate on how qualitative data is collected and how it is analyzed. Qualitative data can be collected in a number of ways, each of which requires consideration of important theoretical and practical issues. Data sources for qualitative research include archives and other written sources, interviews, and ethnographic fieldwork. Students will learn the pros and cons of each method and the different ontologies and epistemologies underpinning them, read exemplary works, and apply the methods in assignments. The analysis of qualitative data also poses special challenges. Students will gain exposure to various methods of data analysis including historical process tracing, discourse and narrative analysis, and content analysis.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

  1. Critically evaluate various methods of qualitative data collection in the political and social sciences;
  2. Critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of various methods of analyzing qualitative social science data;
  3. Implement a wide range of methods of qualitative data collection and analysis;
  4. Apply the principals of good research design, especially as regards qualitative data collection and analysis, in developing their own research.
  5. Utilize qualitative data to communicate knowledgeably on range of topics within the area of government, politics, and society.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

  • written comments
  • verbal comments
  • feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session Summary of Activities Assessment
1 Ontology and Epistemology Notes for this session HAVE to be submitted by July 21st 23.59PM
2 Research Design in Qualitative Research Guest Lecture: Dr Paul Kenny
3 Case Selection
4 Archival Sources DUE Proposals for Research Essays that include research with human subjects
5 Ethics and Qualitative Research Guest Lecture: Dr Nicolas Lemay-Hebert DUE All other proposals for Research Essays
6 Interviews: What is ‘Truth’? What is ‘Fiction’? DUE By August 25th 23.55 Critical Review Essay
7 Ethnography: Practice
8 Comparative Historical Analysis
9 Process Tracing
10 Analytical Narratives MONDAY, 7th Public Holiday / Only Tuesday Session Notes for the session 10 are still due by October 6th 23.55 PM
11 Content Analysis
12 Qualitative Comparative Analysis Guest Lecture: Dr Nicolas Lemay-Hebert

Assessment Summary

Assessment task Value Due Date Return of assessment Learning Outcomes
Seminar Participation 5 % 22/07/2019 22/10/2019 1,2,5
Notes 10 % 22/07/2019 22/10/2019 1,2,5
Critical Review Essay 20 % 25/08/2019 08/09/2019 1,2,4,5
Research Essay 65 % 10/11/2019 17/11/2019 1,3,4,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Value: 5 %
Due Date: 22/07/2019
Return of Assessment: 22/10/2019
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,5

Seminar Participation

Participation in seminar discussion is expected of all students. Each student will also lead a 10 minute presentation of the required readings (depending on seminar numbers). Students can use Powerpoint, Prezi, or other presentation software, but this is not required. Students will receive oral feedback on their presentation. 

Assessment Task 2

Value: 10 %
Due Date: 22/07/2019
Return of Assessment: 22/10/2019
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,5

Notes

All students must prepare notes on required readings and submit by email prior to class in preparation for discussion. These may consist of comments, critiques, questions, etc. arising from the readings. They may be in bullet format or full sentences. They must be at least one page, but no more than two pages long (12 points, single space).

Notes should not contain original quotes. While technical terms can be cited, the aim of the notes is to summarize brief reflections on the required reading in your own words. Notes prepare the seminar discussion: What did you learn? What did you find most surprising about the argument? Do you have any critical comments? Did you have difficulties understanding a specific point raised by the author? Which one and why?


Notes have to be submitted by 11.55 PM Sunday night before each Monday seminar.


They will be marked on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory scale

Assessment Task 3

Value: 20 %
Due Date: 25/08/2019
Return of Assessment: 08/09/2019
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,4,5

Critical Review Essay

Students are required to submit a critical review of Lee Ann Fujii’s book ‘Killing Neighbors. Webs of Violence in Rwanda’ (available online via ANU Library Catalogue).


The essay must reflect on the methodology of the book by drawing on required seminar readings and discussions.


2000 words

Due August 25th at 11:55PM

Must be submitted through Turnitin

Assessment Task 4

Value: 65 %
Due Date: 10/11/2019
Return of Assessment: 17/11/2019
Learning Outcomes: 1,3,4,5

Research Essay

Students will write a research paper on a topic of their choice that

relates to the theoretical material covered in the course.


Projects that involve human subjects have to be submitted for ethics review by 5 PM on August 20. The ethics committee meets on August 30.


Proposals for research projects that require ethics approval do therefore have to be submitted by August 12. Students cannot begin data collection prior to ethics approval. Students undertaking a project involving human subjects will get additional training in applying for ethics approval for their project.



All other proposals are due on August 19.


Please submit your proposals via email. If your proposal does not require ethics approval, please indicate if you would like to receive your feedback in writing or in person.


Proposals that do require ethics approval require a personal meeting and discussion.


Meetings can be scheduled during my regular office hours. If those hours do not suit you, please contact me ahead of time to arrange for an alternative.


Students are advised to consider how these deadlines affect their project schedule when drafting the proposal.


The Research Essay is due on November 10th 11.55 PM

Must be submitted through Turnitin

5500 words

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.


The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.


The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

  • Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
  • Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

Dr Katrin Travouillon
02 6125 3207
u1061908@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Dr Katrin Travouillon

Monday 11:00 13:00
Monday 11:00 13:00
Dr Katrin Travouillon
02 6125 3207
katrin.travouillon@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Dr Katrin Travouillon

Monday 11:00 13:00
Monday 11:00 13:00

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