Principles of Social Research Design (POPH90200)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability(Quotas apply)
February
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This subject will give students an understanding of the principles underlying social research design. The topics covered will be relevant for students interested in social research in general, and in the health context specifically. This subject will cover the conceptual approaches to research design and process, including writing and dissemination. These sessions will provide both theoretical background and practical advice for doing social research. The subject will also cover ethics in research. Areas to be discussed will include the rationale for formal ethical review of research involving humans and details of the ethics committee process, as well as more general discussion of basic ethical principles in research. The subject will draw on different disciplines to highlight different disciplinary approaches to designing and formulating social research projects.

Intended learning outcomes

After the completion of this subject students will:



  • understand the principles and processes of social research design
  • be able to formulate social research questions
  • have a capacity to design social research at a postgraduate level
  • have developed an understanding of the different kinds of ethical issues involved in doing research with human participants
  • be familiar with the formal process of ethical review of research
  • have developed the ability to critically review a human research ethics application
  • have developed the ability to write a detailed research proposal
  • have developed a respect and understanding for the ethics of scholarly research

Generic skills

On completion of the subject students will have developed:

  • skills in evaluation and interpretation of data
  • skills with which to develop and operationalise a research question
  • effective written and oral communication skills

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

505-948 Research Project Development
505-921 Principles of Qualitative Research Design

Recommended background knowledge

-

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Assessment

Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Detailed written research proposal, up to 3,000 words

  • 3,000 words
Mid semester60%

Structured written assignment related to review of human research ethics, up to 2,000 words

  • 2,000 words
End of semester40%
Hurdle requirement: Attendance at a minimum of 80% is required to pass this subjectThroughout the teaching periodN/A

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Quotas apply to this subject

Dates & times

  • February
    Principal coordinatorsRosalind McDougall and Lynn Gillam
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours36 hrs: 6 x 6 hrs symposia
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period17 February 2020 to 28 February 2020
    Last self-enrol date19 February 2020
    Census date13 March 2020
    Last date to withdraw without fail 1 May 2020
    Assessment period ends 8 June 2020

    February contact information

    Coordinators:

    l.gillam@unimelb.edu.au
    rmcdo@unimelb.edu.au

    Currently enrolled students:

    Future Students:

Time commitment details

170 hours

Additional delivery details

This subject has an enrolment quota of 50. Selection is based on the order in which students enrol in the subject.

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Further information

Last updated: 3 November 2022