The Social Research Methods Minor introduces students to a range of research methodologies and techniques used by demographers, political scientists, sociologists, and criminologists. Courses in this minor are based on the pedagogy of "learning by doing". Students are introduced to the practical aspects of social research methods through specific research questions which inform current debates in demography, political science, sociology, and criminology. Examples of such questions include: How has the influence of public opinion polls on policymaking been changing over time? Has the gender gap in pay and university participation reversed to the advantage of women? Has crime been increasing in Australia, as the general public tends to believe?
In dealing with concrete questions students will have an opportunity to engage with all or at least some of the following research stages: study design including ethical considerations, data collection, data interpretation and reporting.
Learning Outcomes
- interpret and analyse survey data and data from statistical collections available from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, OECD, the UN and similar agencies;
- collect, interpret and analyse qualitative data generated through interviews or participant observation including online research;
- write research reports and essays based on empirical sources such as opinion polls, surveys, official statistical databases, observations, interviews and visual data; and
- design and carry out a methodologically sound research project.
Relevant Degrees
Requirements
The Social Research Methods Minor requires the completion of 24 units which must include:
24 units from the completion of the following course(s):
CRIM3010 Doing Criminology: Advanced Research Methods (6 units)
DEMO2002 Population Analysis (6 units)
POLS3111 Elections, Political Behaviour and Public Opinion in Australia (6 units)
SOCR1001 Foundations of Social Research (6 units)
SOCR3001 Data for Decision Making (6 units)
SOCY2038 Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods (6 units)
SOCY2043 Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods (6 units)
SOCY3169 Online Research Methods (6 units)
24 units from completion of the following course(s):
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| POLS 2111: Elections, Political Behaviour | ||
| SOCY2038 | Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods | 6 |
| SOCY2043 | Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods | 6 |
| SOCY 2055: Soc Inequality in Comp Persp | ||
| SOCY 2062: Dimensions of Crime | ||
| POPS 2002: Population Analysis |