In this course we explore the nature of qualitative research and how we can use methods from this approach to better understand the complexity of social life and relations. Whilst we predominantly explore established techniques such as interviewing and participant observation, emphasis is also placed on how more nascent techniques - such as visual, digital and sensory methods - can push traditional research practices in new directions which better reflect the character and concerns of today's world.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. explain the key tenets, features and value of qualitative research;
2. understand the practical, conceptual and ethical implications of using qualitative methods and approaches in social research;
3. comprehend and evaluate the various qualitative techniques that are used by researchers in the pursuit of their studies;
4. develop practical experience in using qualitative methods in the course of project-based learning and reflecting critically on the process of doing social research; and
5. communicate methodological arguments and research findings in written and oral form with reference to broader methodological, conceptual and substantive debates within sociology and related cognate disciplines.

Research-Led Teaching

This course will draw on various examples of primary research, some of it conducted by the course teaching team. We will reflect on how social researchers conduct their studies in terms of formulating and designing, operationalising and analysing, publishing and disseminating their findings and analyses. We have invited speakers contribute to the content covered and discuss their own personal and professional reflections on qualitative research practice.

Required Resources

These are all provided to course participants in an online format.

Recommended Resources

The following texts are recommended for this course:

• Doing Qualitative Research (Fifth Edition) by David Silverman (2018, Sage)
• Qualitative Research Methods by Monique Hennink, Inge Hutter and Ajay Bailey (2011, Sage)
• Successful Qualitative Research: A Practical Guide for Beginners by Virginia Braun and Victoria Clarke (2013, Sage)
• The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research (Fifth Edition) by Norman K. Denzin and Yvonna S. Lincoln (2017, Sage)
• The Foundations of Social Research: meaning and perspective in the research process by Michael Crotty (1998, SAGE)

Staff Feedback

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

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class

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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

Additional Referencing Requirement

Students must ensure that they reference accurately and consistently in any work they produce for SOCY2043 (this includes the Project Plan assessment). Failure to do so may result in an Academic Misconduct investigation and severe penalties. The default referencing style adopted for this course is Harvard.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Course Introduction
2	Epistemology of the Qualitative Paradigm
3	The Ethics of Doing Qualitative Research
4	Qualitative Research Design
5	Qualitative Research Practice I
6	Qualitative Research Practice II
7	Qualitative Research Practice III
8	Qualitative Research Practice IV
9	Qualitative Research Practice V
10	Qualitative Research Practice VI
11	Qualitative Research Practice VII
12	Communicating Qualitative Research

Tutorial Registration

Workshop classes will commence in Week 2. 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 https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/timetabling.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Methodology Essay	25 %	15/08/2023	30/08/2023	1,2,3,5
Designing Qualitative Research Exercise	25 %	05/09/2023	20/09/2023	2,3,4,5
Qualitative Research Reflection	40 %	03/11/2023	*	1,2,3,4,5
Tutorial participation	10 %	*	*	1,2,3,4,5

* 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 Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 Academic Skills 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.

Participation

Because of their dialogical character, students taking this course are expected to attend the lectures as they are delivered (i.e. in real time). Students are also expected to read, as a bare minimum, each of the weekly core readings, actively participate in lectures and workshops, and conduct at least 94 hours of independent study. This is a reading-intensive and student-led course, so you need to be prepared to invest effort and conduct self-directed study to perform well. It is the responsibility of students to regularly access Wattle and their ANU email accounts in order to plan and prepare in advance of classes.

Assessment Task 1

Methodology Essay

Assessment one comprises students addressing a specified essay question. The question is designed to assess students' knowledge of the epistemological and methodological issues covered in the first part of the course. It seeks to sharpen students' understanding of the nature, purpose and value of qualitative research, specifically the key assumptions and rationales on which the paradigm is based. It also aims to get students thinking and writing critically about what they are learning in class - and from the readings - and to receive preliminary feedback on their progress.

Assessment rubric: This will be available on Wattle in Week 1.

Word limit: 1000

Value: 25%

Due date: 15 August 2023 by 8pm

Estimated return date: 30 August 2023

Presentation requirements:

Submissions must be word-processed (in Times or equivalent size 12 font and doublespaced) and submitted via the appropriate Wattle Turnitin link. It is students' responsibility to submit the correct piece of work by the specified assessment deadline. The default referencing style adopted for SOCY2043 written work is Harvard and you MUST ensure that you reference consistently and accurately as per standard written assessment protocols. Do NOT use footnotes or endnotes. Students are expected to adhere strictly to the word limit set for each assessment task, although leniency will be shown to those either over or under by a maximum of 10%. If your work exceeds the 10% quota, it will accrue a 10% penalty. Please note that the reference section is NOT included in the stipulated word count.

Hurdle Assessment requirements: Students must attempt this assessment to be eligible to pass the course.

Assessment Task 2

Designing Qualitative Research Exercise

Assessment two requires students to formulate and design a small qualitative project.

Students will need to outline:

• the proposed project idea they have, including the topic for analysis (and its significance);
• the research question informing the study;
• the qualitative methods that are going to be used and a justification for their selection;
• any likely ethical and/or practical and/or methodological issues they may face in executing the research;
• the feasibility of the proposed research project.

Assessment rubric: This will be available on Wattle in Week 3.

Word limit: 1000

Value: 25%

Due date: 5 September 2023 by 8pm

Estimated return date: 20 September 2022

Presentation requirements:

Submissions must be word-processed (in Times or equivalent size 12 font and doublespaced) and submitted via the appropriate Wattle Turnitin link. It is students' responsibility to submit the correct piece of work by the specified assessment deadline. The default referencing style adopted for SOCY2043 written work is Harvard and you MUST ensure that you reference consistently and accurately as per standard written assessment protocols. Do NOT use footnotes or endnotes. Students are expected to adhere strictly to the word limit set for each assessment task, although leniency will be shown to those either over or under by a maximum of 10%. If your work exceeds the 10% quota, it will accrue a 10% penalty. Please note that the reference section is NOT included in the stipulated word count.

Hurdle Assessment requirements: Students must attempt this assessment to be eligible to pass the course.

Assessment Task 3

Qualitative Research Reflection

Assessment three requires students to conduct a small piece of qualitative research using the techniques of participant observation and interviewing. The rationale for this assessment is that you can only truly learn the art of qualitative research by doing it first-hand, and by reflecting on practice in a critical fashion. Students will need to do EACH of the following activities:

• organise and conduct TWO qualitative interviews (lasting approximately 30-60 mins each) with participants on a topic of interest to be agreed with your tutor.
• administer ONE hour of either non-participant or participant observation in a public context to be agreed with your tutor

Informed by the content of the course, as well as the constructive feedback they receive from assessments 1 and 2, students will need to design and administer the fieldwork, as well as transcribe and analyse the data that are produced, and arrange them thematically so that preliminary results can be presented and arguments duly formulated in the essay. Students will also need to produce a critical reflection on their research approach, practice and experience that draws and builds on the pertinent methods literature. Students should commence thinking of (a) a suitable research participant/participants to interview and topic to explore, and (b) public place to observe, as soon as possible, and discuss the key research questions for each exercise with their tutor and class colleagues in workshops prior to doing the research. More detailed instructions will be provided to students on Wattle in Week 6.

Assessment rubric: This will be available on Wattle in Week 6.

Word limit: 2500

Value: 40%

Due date: 3 November 2023 by 8pm

Estimated return date: Not Applicable

Presentation requirements:

Submissions must be word-processed (in Times or equivalent size 12 font and doublespaced) and submitted via the appropriate Wattle Turnitin link. It is students' responsibility to submit the correct piece of work by the specified assessment deadline. The default referencing style adopted for SOCY2043 written work is Harvard and students MUST ensure that they reference consistently and accurately as per standard written assessment protocols. Do NOT use footnotes or endnotes. Students are expected to adhere strictly to the word limit set for each assessment task, although leniency will be shown to those either over or under by a maximum of 10%. If your work exceeds the 10% quota, it will accrue a 10% penalty. Please note that the reference section is NOT included in the stipulated word count.

Hurdle Assessment requirements: Students must attempt this assessment to be eligible to pass the course.

Assessment Task 4

Tutorial participation

Due to the very practical nature of doing qualitative research, students will "learn by doing" and therefore will be expected to participate in practical activities in tutorials which assist in cumulative learning in addition to conducting work that directly feeds into assessment items. Attendance at these tutorials is strongly encouraged to facilitate significant hands-on engagement and successful learning outcomes.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

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. Please also note that we are NOT permitted to read, mark or comment on assessment drafts

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 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.
• Please note that late submission is NOT accepted for Assessment 3: Qualitative Research Project.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

Student work will be returned on Wattle in the first instance, either with written or oral comments supplied. All grades will appear in Wattle Gradebook. Please note that because of the special nature of the final assessment, Qualitative Research Reflection, in-text feedback will not be provided to students. Instead, they will be issued with a grade and a completed rubric template.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted 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.

Resubmission of Assignments

Students are NOT permitted to resubmit assignments in SOCY2043, unless this has been explicitly authorised by the Associate Dean (Student Experience) as a result of exceptional circumstances.

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).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students