GSSA 2110 - Social Research: Working Skills for Social Sci

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2015

The aim of Social Research is to develop students' knowledge and understanding of research - how and why it is done - and to expose students to different theoretical perspectives and methodologies employed by researchers in conducting social research. Students will learn new skills: formulating a research question; designing a survey and interview schedule; participant observation; conducting focus groups; content analysis and discourse analysis; and interpreting information. Students will also be taught about ethical considerations in social research and how the research findings inform change. Students will also learn how these research skills are increasingly and widely applicable in the workplace

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Course Details

Course Code	GSSA 2110
Course	Social Research: Working Skills for Social Sci
Coordinating Unit	Sociology, Criminology and Gender Studies
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Prerequisites	At least 12 units of level 1 undergraduate study
Incompatible	GWSI 2015, GWSI 3015, GWSI 2110
Assessment	2000 word discourse and content analysis (40%), 1000 word research exercise (30%), group activities (including workshop attendance, participation and on-line tasks) 1000 words (30%)

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Dee Michell

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

Course Learning Outcomes

1	Understand the purpose of social research and its potential to investigate contemporary social issues through both quantitative and qualitative approaches.
2	Identify the range of methods, techniques and skills used in contemporary social research and their capacity to solve specific social problems.
3	Demonstrate skills in social science methods including the ethical and practical aspects of researching social problems, critical reading, reflection and analytical writing.
4	Work with others in the exploration of ideas and to collectively develop arguments and negotiate solutions to problems.
5	Undertake a research project including formulating a research problem and its key questions, investigating the problem and analysing the results.
6	Present research findings in a coherently argued written report and engage in critical debate.

最新糖心Vlog Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	4, 5, 6
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	1, 2, 3, 4, 6
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community.	1, 3, 4, 5, 6
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	1, 2, 3

Learning & Teaching Modes

Lectures supported by problem-solving workshops developing material covered in lectures.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

1 x 1-hour lecture (or equivalent) per week	12 hours per semester
1 x 2-hour workshop (or equivalent) per week	24 hours per semester
3 hours assignment preparation per week	36 hours per semester
7 hours reading/research per week	84 hours per semester
TOTAL WORKLOAD	156 hours per semester

Learning Activities Summary

1	Introduction to the course
2	Definitions and beginnings
3	Participant observation
4	Analysing texts
5	Surveys/questionnaires
6	Analysing quantitative data
7	Why's and wherefore's of doing interviews
8	Innovative methods with children
9	Focus groups
10	Analysing qualitative data
11	Using social theory: the 'so what' question
12	Research translation

Specific Course Requirements

Not applicable

Small Group Discovery Experience

Weekly workshops provide opportunities to put new knowledge and skills into practice in fun and meaningful ways. Activities in workshops are group based.

The 最新糖心Vlog's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Task Type	Weighting	Learning Outcome
Group activities (inc workshop attendance, participation and online tasks)	Formative and Summative	30%	1-6
1000 word research exercise	Formative and Summative	40%	1-6
2000 word discourse analysis	Formative and Summative	30%	1-6

Assessment Related Requirements

Students are required to complete all assessment tasks to be eligible to pass this course.

Assessment Detail

Workshops: Participation in workshops is a key feature of this course as they provide opprotunities to explore ideas, theories and examples in the readings and lectures.

Assignment 1: This is a research exercise to put into practice a research skill that you have learnt in the first few weeks of the course. This includes an activity on campus, where you conduct a participant observation exercise, and write this up as a short report.

Assignment 2: In this assignment you can choose an issue or controversy and explore the way it is represented in the media over a period of time. This is an independent learning project, where you will be supported to conduct your own textual analysis.

Submission

Your written assignments for this course will be submitted online via the relevant MyUni course site.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through .

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SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the 最新糖心Vlog to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Policies & Guidelines
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Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator

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