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Explanation and Understanding (ANTH90009)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
March - On Campus
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The focus of this subject is on the skills entailed in qualitative research projects that seek to understand and explain social and cultural phenomena. It introduces students to various approaches to socio-cultural research and their ethical and methodological implications, particularly in cross-cultural contexts. Students will workshop specific projects, as well as examining a range of qualitative research methods. On completion of this subject students should have the ability to design an original research project of their own, justifying the methodological and ethical approach to be taken.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Describe the relationship between the aims, objectives, rationale and methodology of qualitative research projects
  • Evaluate ethical implications of social research, and how these may be accommodated within research design
  • Navigate issues relating to cross-cultural research and communication
  • Confidently make use of different research methods and appraise their potentials and limitations.

Generic skills

Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:

  • Design and present plans for independent research
  • Explain advanced methods of critical inquiry and argument
  • Communicate oral and written arguments and ideas effectively and articulately.

Last updated: 6 February 2026