Research Design and Methods (CHIN90011)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1
Associate Professor Sarah Rogers: rogerssm@unimelb.edu.au
Dr Ivan Franceschini: ivan.franceschini@unimelb.edu.au
Semester 2
Associate Professor Sarah Rogers: rogerssm@unimelb.edu.au
Dr Ivan Franceschini: ivan.franceschini@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject is designed to develop research skills for students pursuing a postgraduate degree in the field of the social sciences. The subject explores contemporary research strategies, differing methodological approaches to social research, the relationship between theory and research, the techniques in the collection of data or evidence for analysis as well as practical issues concerned with designing a project or thesis and their realisation through the research process, including the management of ethics principles and procedures. The subject will assist students to develop skills in the framing of research projects, more generally. The subject is taught through a combination of lectures, workshops and seminars.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Articulate the theoretical, methodological, resource and ethical considerations of relevance in designing a social science research project
- Appreciate of the role of theory in the framing of social research
- Identify appropriate research strategies when undertaking social science research
- Determine the analytical and organisational skills required in social science research
- Complete a fully developed research proposal for a potential thesis or a project which is grounded in their understanding of the complexities of social science research.
Generic skills
Students who complete this subject should be able to:
- Apply research skills and critical methods to a field of inquiry
- Develop persuasive arguments on a given topic
- Communicate oral and written arguments and ideas effectively and articulately.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into the MC-CONTCS Master of Contemporary Chinese Studies
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Annotated Bibliography
| Week 4 | 20% |
Oral presentation of research plan, 10 minutes
| Week 8 | 20% |
A research proposal
| End of semester | 60% |
| Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance of all classes. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
| Hurdle requirement: 2. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinators Ivan Franceschini and Sarah Rogers Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 hours: One two-hour seminar per week. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 March 2025 to 1 June 2025 Last self-enrol date 14 March 2025 Census date 31 March 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025 Assessment period ends 27 June 2025 Semester 1 contact information
Associate Professor Sarah Rogers: rogerssm@unimelb.edu.au
Dr Ivan Franceschini: ivan.franceschini@unimelb.edu.au
- Semester 2
Coordinators Ivan Franceschini and Sarah Rogers Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 hours: One two-hour seminar per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025 Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025 Census date 1 September 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 26 September 2025 Assessment period ends 21 November 2025 Semester 2 contact information
Associate Professor Sarah Rogers: rogerssm@unimelb.edu.au
Dr Ivan Franceschini: ivan.franceschini@unimelb.edu.au
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
Last updated: 4 March 2025