• Offered by ANU Centre for Social Research Methods
  • ANU College ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences
  • Course subject Social Research
  • Areas of interest Sociology, Criminology
  • Academic career UGRD
  • Course convener
    • Dr Brian Houle
  • Mode of delivery In Person
  • Co-taught Course
  • Offered in First Semester 2020
    See Future Offerings

This course provides an introduction to basic statistics with an emphasis on statistical concepts and methods commonly applied in social research. Lecture topics cover measurement scales, frequency distributions, measures of central location and dispersion, sampling distribution of statistics, confidence intervals and hypothesis test, Chi-squared test, correlation and linear regression. Teaching is provided through lectures and computer training sessions. No previous knowledge of statistics is assumed, however, a sound knowledge of basic mathematics and spreadsheets is required. The course will equip students with the skills required to assess the validity of common statistical tests used in quantitative research.

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. understand the nature of statistical data;
  2. undertake univariate and bivariate statistical tests as appropriate;
  3. construct an argument using theory and data; and,
  4. choose appropriate methods for presenting research results.

Indicative Assessment

  1. Eight online quizzes (5% each for a total of 40%) (40) [LO 1,2,4]
  2. In-class test, 2 hours (30) [LO 1,2,3,4]
  3. Research Paper, 3500 words (30) [LO 1,2,3,4]

In response to COVID-19: Please note that Semester 2 Class Summary information (available under the classes tab) is as up to date as possible. Changes to Class Summaries not captured by this publication will be available to enrolled students via Wattle. 

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

130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 12 hours of lectures and 24 hours of computer labs.
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing

Inherent Requirements

Not applicable

Requisite and Incompatibility

To enrol in this course you must be studying a Bachelor of Arts Honours (HARTS or HART2), Bachelor of Criminology Honours (HCRIM), Bachelor of International Relations Honours (HIR), Bachelor of Music Honours (HMUSI), Bachelor of Political Science Honours (HPLSC), Bachelor of Policy Studies (HPOLS), Bachelor of Asian Studies Honours (HASIA), or completion of 144 units towards the Bachelor of Philosophy Honours (Arts) (APHAR or APNAR). You are not able to enrol in this course if you have previously completed SOCR8001

Prescribed Texts

nil

Specialisations

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:
2
Unit value:
6 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
6.00 0.12500
Domestic fee paying students
Year Fee
2020 $4050
International fee paying students
Year Fee
2020 $5760
Note: Please note that fee information is for current year only.

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.

The list of offerings for future years is indicative only.
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
4085 24 Feb 2020 02 Mar 2020 08 May 2020 05 Jun 2020 In Person View

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