This course is available for in-person and remote (online) learning.
The course introduces students to quantitative, qualitative and mixed research methods used by the social sciences to study environment and development issues and problems. The course will increase students’ knowledge of how scholarly and applied research is designed and implemented, and will enable them to assess the quality of research required as an input into policy making.
The course considers questions of epistemology and the philosophy of science, and the implications of theory for the design of research. The course critically engages with the main features and methods for conducting quantitative and qualitative research. Understandings of the ethics of conducting and publishing scholarly research will be integrated throughout the course lectures and discussions.
Active student participation in learning will be promoted through teaching methods that include lectures, class discussions, computer lab sessions, tutorials, practical peer interactions, and an extended essay.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Position research within major epistemologies and philosophies of knowledge.
- Assess the rigour of research methodologies and practical methods.
- Develop skills in devising research questions, and in matching questions with appropriate methodologies.
- Apply appropriate qualitative and quantitative research methods to a particular research problem.
- Understand aspects of positionality and subjectivity in scholarly research.
- Critically analyse, design and write research studies with attention to methodologies and methods.
Indicative Assessment
- Qualitative quiz (10) [LO 1,2]
- Ethnographic interview & peer response (20) [LO 3,4,5]
- Final qualitative assignment: Critical review of the conceptualisation and operationalisation of a qualitative methodology (2000 words) (20) [LO 3,4,6]
- Essay: Critical quantitative methods review (500 words) (15) [LO 1,2]
- Report: Quantitative analysis project (2000 words) (35) [LO 3,4,6]
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
The standard workload for a 6 unit course is 130 hours including in class time and independent study.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Prescribed Texts
None.
Preliminary Reading
Weekly readings comprised of selected journal articles and book chapters will be available on the Wattle course site.
Assumed Knowledge
There are no statistical pre-requisites to enrol in the course. However, some knowledge of the basic concepts of statistics will be useful.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you 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). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found 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 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $4440 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $6000 |
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.
