Introduction to Research in the Pacific: Methods and Research Design
(6 units, to be proposed for 2016)
This course is aimed at HDR students who wish to develop the skills necessary for formulating their doctoral research project. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of research design and methods for conducting social science research in the Pacific as well as developing analytical and writing skills.
The course aims to introduce the basic tools and techniques of primarily qualitative field research and to provide practical experience in choosing and using basic methods such as interviewing, collecting genealogy, recording, and structured observations.
Students will learn how to define their research problem and questions to guide the research, to choose the most appropriate methods, to conduct research, and to write reports on the results of their research.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Be able to critically evaluate qualitative research as a social science agenda, including different concepts, approaches, and methods
- Have developed the skills to design a research project based on a solid understanding of concepts and tools of different methodologies
- Be able to assess the relevance and appropriateness of various research methods for their research topic
- Be able to employ the techniques of various research methods in undertaking fieldwork and data collection
- Be cognizant of ethical issues that may arise while developing, conducting and analysing research
- Have the foundational skills to analyse data and present research findings clearly
Indicative Assessment
- Students must pass each each assessment item to pass the course. (null) [LO null]
- Participation (10) [LO 1,3,5]
- Discussant for a paper written by a fellow student (10) [LO 1,3,5]
- Presentation in week two about their initial thinking concerning their doctoral research (10) [LO 2,3,5,6]
- Scenario project leader (20) [LO 2,3,4,6]
- Draft Thesis Proposal (4,000 words) (50) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
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
200 Hours across the semester (including 3 week intensive course)Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the Department of Pacific Affairs to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Prescribed Texts
No prescribed text. All required reading and multimedia materials will be provided via Wattle.Preliminary Reading
Indicative reading list:
Alasuutari, P., L. Bickman, and J. Brannen, eds. (2008). The SAGE handbook of social research methods. London: Sage.
Bryman, A. (2012). Social Research Methods, 4th edition, Part 2 Chapter 7— 10, Oxford University Press.
Check, J & Schutt, R. K. (2012). Investigating the Educational World: The Process and Practice of Research. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
Chilisa, Bagele. (2012). Indigenous Research Methodologies. London: Sage.
Crotty, Michael. (1998) Foundations of Social Research: Meaning and perspective in the research process.
London: SAGE Publications.
Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2005). Introduction: The discipline and practice of qualitative research. In N.K. Denzin and Y.S. Lincoln (Eds.) The SAGE handbook of qualitative research. pp 1-32. Sage Publications.
DeLyser, D. (2008). Teaching qualitative research. Journal of geography in higher education 32(2): 233-244.
Dickson-Swift, V., James, E. L., & Liamputtong, P. (2008). Undertaking sensitive research in the health and social sciences. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Gegeo, D. W. (2008). Shifting paradigms in Pacific scholarship: Towards island-based methodologies, epistemologies and pedagogies. Paper presented at Building Pacific Research Capacity and Scholarship 2008, Fono Fale Pasfika, Auckland: University of Auckland.
Hammersley, M. & Atkinson, P. (1995). Ethnography: Principles in practice. Psychology Press.
Kovach, Margaret. (2010). Indigenous Methodologies: Characteristics, Conversations and Contexts. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
Liamputtong, P. (2009). Qualitative research methods, 3rd edition. Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
McFall-McCaffery, J. (2010). Getting started with Pacific research: Finding resources and information on Pacific research models and methodologies. MAI Review, 1.
Park, A. (2006). ‘Using Survey Data in Social Science Research in Developing Countries’, in Perecman, E., & Curran, S. R. (Eds.). A hand
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:
- 14
- 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 |
|---|---|
| 2026 | $4920 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2026 | $7020 |
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.