Social Research Methods (NRMT90003)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Understanding of social process and action is critical to effective land and environment management and social research skills are therefore valued by resource management agencies. This subject aims to equip students with knowledge and skills to design social research, which can be used to improve management of environments, agricultural and food systems. The subject presents a framework for understanding diverse approaches to social research; the relationship between theory and method is given particular emphasis.
The research process is considered step by step including scoping research issues, the evolution of research questions, and selection of appropriate methods. A number of research strategies are considered in more detail including survey research, case studies and action research. Social research ethics, quality in social research and advances in social research methods are examined.
Intended learning outcomes
At the completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Explain the process of social research;
- Demonstrate an ability to select appropriate methodological frameworks and to match research tools to these approaches;
- Apply ethical considerations in social research;
- Prepare research proposals.
Generic skills
- Written and oral communication skills
- Capacity to synthesise information from multiple sources
- Critically evaluate social research
- Capacity to prepare a research proposal
- Practical social research skills
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into a Graduate degree program
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| No longer available |
Recommended background knowledge
It is strongly recommended that students have at least 25 credits or equivalent in social science subjects (eg sociology, psychology, human geography, political science, law, policy studies, education).
Assessment in the subject requires students to develop a proposal for a social research project. Students must be able to identify a social science project relevant to their broader studies or professional practice. It is recommended that they have some understanding of social theories related to their project.
Students should seek approval from the subject coordinator if uncertain whether their previous coursework and project ideas are appropriate.
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 |
|---|---|---|
Research Proposal Part 1: Problem statement and aim - written assignment
| Week 4 | 10% |
Research Proposal Part 2: Methodology – written assignment
| Week 8 | 30% |
Oral presentation: Research proposal overview - 5 minute presentation,
| Week 11 | 10% |
Research Proposal Part 3: Methods – written assignment
| During the examination period | 50% |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Kathryn Williams Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total of 48 hours - 36 hours of lectures (1 x 2 hours and 1 x 1 hour per week for 12 weeks), 12 hours of tutorials (1 x 1 hour per week for 12 weeks) 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
Time commitment details
170 hours
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
Prescribed texts
Subject reader
Recommended texts and other resources
Seale, C. (2004). Social Research Methods: A Reader. London/NewYork: Routledge Student Readers. Bryman, A. (2004) Social Research Methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press (2nd edition).
Neuman, W.L. (2006). Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches (6th Edn). Boston, Pearson Education Inc.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Graduate Diploma in Food Science Course Graduate Diploma in Urban Horticulture Course Master of Urban Horticulture Course Master of Food Science - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 4 March 2025